A man sleeping in a cave depicting the benefits of sleeping in cold room

7 Benefits of Sleeping in a Cold Room: The Chilling Truth

ByJim Updated on

When the sun goes down and the night falls, this is a natural indicator that it’s time to sleep – it tells our body to start releasing melatonin and we begin to feel sleepy. But what if the temperature dropping was also an indicator?

In today’s world of cozy warm homes, it’s not so obvious but I imagine it was a different story for our ancestors who lived with no heating and potentially no homes at all. They would’ve felt the cold for sure.

So, what if there are also benefits from sleeping in a cold room? Benefits that supercharge your sleep and take it to another level.

I believe sleep and diet are the 2 foundational pillars of regaining and maintaining health. If there are ways to improve any of these then I want to learn about and try them out.

Let’s dig into the validity of sleeping in a cold room to improve sleep quality and ask… What are the benefits of sleeping in a cold room?

TL;DR

  • Sleeping in a cold room (60°F-67°F or 15.6°C-19.4°C) may improve sleep quality and help regulate your body temperature and circadian rhythm.
  • Cool sleeping environments could potentially help you fall asleep faster, reduce night sweats, and support deeper sleep phases.
  • Some studies suggest benefits for metabolism and mood – achieving a good night’s sleep in a cool room can enhance these effects.
  • Finding your ideal sleeping temperature is personal – experiment to discover what works best for your sleep cycle and overall health.

The Science Behind Cold Sleep: Why Your Body Craves Cool Nights

Picture our ancestors, huddled in their caves… did they have central heating and fluffy duvets?

In her infinite wisdom, Mother Nature fine-tuned our bodies to function best in cooler temperatures at night.

You see, as bedtime approaches, your body temperature naturally starts to drop. It’s like your internal thermostat saying, “Hey, time to hit the sack!”

A cold room, on the other hand, is like a lullaby for your body. It helps your core body temperature drop more quickly, signaling your brain that it’s sleepy time. It’s Mother Nature’s way of tucking you in for the night.

But why does this temperature drop matter so much?

Well, it’s all tied to your circadian rhythm – your body’s internal clock. This 24-hour cycle governs not just your sleep-wake cycle, but also hormone production, body temperature, and even your metabolism.

But your body doesn’t just cool down on its own – it needs a little help from its environment. That’s where sleeping in a cool room comes in. By keeping your bedroom cool, you’re giving your body a helping hand in achieving that all-important temperature drop.

A comprehensive review published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology (Okamoto-Mizuno & Mizuno, 2012) confirms that ambient temperature significantly affects sleep stages and thermoregulation during sleep.

The researchers found that heat exposure increases wakefulness and decreases slow-wave sleep and REM sleep.

But what’s the ideal sleeping temperature, I hear you ask? Don’t worry, we’ll get to that.

First…

7 Eye-Opening Benefits of Sleeping in a Cold Room

Now, let’s dive into the juicy stuff. Why should you care about sleeping in a cold environment?

1. Helps You Fall Asleep Faster

Some studies suggest that a drop in core body temperature can help initiate sleep. A review published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that cooler environments may contribute to better sleep onset.

2. Improves Sleep Quality

Research indicates that a cooler temperature affects sleep stages positively. A study in Science Advances found that increased nighttime temperatures were associated with reports of insufficient sleep.

3. Supports Healthy Metabolism

While more research is needed, some studies suggest a link between cooler sleeping environments and metabolic health. A small study found that mild cold exposure might increase brown fat activity, which could potentially impact metabolism.

4. Enhances Mood and Mental Clarity

Better sleep quality has been associated with improved mood and cognitive function, and maintaining a cooler temperature in your bedroom can enhance these benefits. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a cool bedroom as one factor that may contribute to better sleep.

5. Helps Manage Night Sweats

For those experiencing night sweats, maintaining a cooler temperature might provide some relief. The North American Menopause Society suggests keeping the