People across the UK have been warned to get ready for a deep freeze this weekend, as the Met Office forecasts temperatures could plummet to a bone-chilling minus 20°C on Friday (January 1) night.
Colder temperatures can cause all kinds of problems for households, from boiler troubles and frozen pipes to issues with condensation and drying laundry. To prevent costly damages, experts advise keeping your home adequately heated throughout the chilly period.
Families with babies and young children should pay particular attention to ensuring their youngsters’ rooms are snug enough through the night. But for those wondering what the optimum temperature is for a good night’s sleep, it’s not as warm as you might guess.
Bed Advice UK suggests aiming for a “ideal” bedroom climate of about 16-18°C. This is due to our body temperature peaking in the late afternoon before cooling down during the evening, a natural process helping our bodies to prepare for slumber by stimulating melatonin production.
Sleep quality can be significantly influenced by how hot or cold our sleeping environment is – especially during the REM stage of sleep, which plays a crucial role in memory, learning and mental health. While overheated bedrooms exceeding 24°C could lead to a restless night of tossing and turning, trying to nod off in a room colder than 12°C can also be challenging, reports the Express.
To save on energy bills, it’s crucial to set your thermostat at the right temperature, avoiding unnecessary heating when the house is already warm enough for sleep. The ideal sleeping temperature varies with age, but for babies and very young children, a safe room temperature is between 16-20°C.
As per the Lullaby Trust, this ensures your baby is comfortable – neither too cold nor too hot. Overheating overnight can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies.
Judging the room temperature accurately can be challenging, hence investing in a room thermometer is recommended by experts. Additionally, keep extra layers handy if the room’s temperature falls below the suggested level during the night.