7 Ways to keep warm at night (without putting the heating on)

With temperatures plummeting at this time of year, especially at night, but heating bills skyrocketing, keeping warm at night is more of a challenge than ever. When it's very cold you should put the heating on but here's a few ideas from Martin Seeley, sleep expert and CEO of Mattressnextday, for alternative ways to keep your body temperature up before bed, and therefore sleep better.

A bath will raise your body temperature and make it easier to sleep. Credit: harmpeti

Having a hot bath, or shower, before bed will help to increase your body temperature and allow you to fully warm up before getting into bed. Most often, when we take a long, hot bubble bath, our body temperature tends to increase and stay high for an hour or so afterwards. This means you should be able to get comfortable and fall into a nice sleep before your body temperature drops down again.

For extra warmth, change into some comfortable and warm, like thermal pyjamas, right afterwards to help insulate and keep the heat in your body.

This goes without saying, but you’d be surprised at how many people go to bed during the colder months without wearing sufficient, warm nightwear. If you’re going to bed with only a few items of clothing on, chances are you will wake up in the night shivering and wishing you wore more to bed, plus it will also make waking up easier if you wear warm pyjamas. Investing in thermal pyjamas is an effective way to stay warm while remaining comfortable, as they will not feel heavy or uncomfortable as some bedclothes can often do.

You may also want to purchase fluffy socks to wear at nights, especially as your feet can feel the cold most. A thermal jumper is also recommended, which you can also keep by the side of your bed in case you want to throw it on during the night.

A good way to exercise in the home at night is an exercise bike. Credit: torwai

Exercising during the colder months can be difficult, however this is a very quick and easy way to increase body temperature. It should help to keep you feeling warm during the evening and at night. Make sure you exercise in the evening as this will help you to feel warm right before bed.

Doing a sufficient amount of cardio or interval training should tire you out, which will also help you get to sleep quickly.

If you are trying to save on heating costs, or perhaps only heating your home during certain hours of the day, then you want to make sure that your bedroom is well insulated and that you’re trapping the heat inside, while simultaneously not letting any draughts in.

Keep any doors to unused rooms closed, and make sure you stop any draughts that might be coming in from the windows or doors by using heavy, weighted curtains. You can even put items of clothing under doors or on window ledges to help keep the heat in and the cold air out.

A thick duvet is an investment worth making. Credit: Svitlana Hulko

The best way to ensure you have a comfortable and undisturbed night during winter is to invest in a thicker duvet, which will help to keep you warm and insulated.

If you do not have a winter duvet, or the pennies don’t stretch, you can always throw on a duvet from another bedroom on top of you, or purchase blankets and throws to add on to increase warmth.

If you share a bed with your partner, make use of each other's body heat and enjoy some winter bedtime snuggles, or even having sex will help to increase your body temperature considerably!

Sharing body heat is an effective way to keep warm and being closer to your partner may also help to improve your mood also.

Hearty meat and/or vegetable stews and soups will warm your body. Credit: jenifoto

Eating enough food this time of year is imperative, as often when we don’t eat a sufficient amount we feel cold. This is because low blood sugar levels make you more sensitive to feeling cold. You should be eating hearty, warming, comfort foods such as stews, soups and high carb meals. These will help you to feel full and comfortable, which should, in turn, allow you to sleep better and feel warmer.

Although, be careful not to eat heavy meals late at night, or right before you go to bed, as sometimes this can have adverse effects on your sleep quality.

Banner credit: esmeraldaedenberg

Read more: Keep your home warm and insulated this Christmas

Read more: 8 weird ways to keep warm

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