The hot weather is here and instead of heating things up in the bedroom, you'll be looking to cool them down.
Check out our top tips on keeping you and your family cool this sunny season.
#1 Drink Plenty of water
Your body is an impressive piece of kit. One of its many fantastic features is the ability to regulate its own temperature.
Too hot or cold? Your body will work to keep your internal temperature as close to 37 degrees as possible.
Drinking more water aids in your body's ability to expel heat, by generating sweat. When the sweat hits the air and evaporates off your skin, you cool down.
The downside? Too much water before bed may result in interruptions to sleep, in order to visit the 'facilities'.
#2 Eat light meals
We've all experienced that uncomfortable feeling from eating a rich, meat-heavy dinner.
Avoid the meat sweats by opting for lighter meals throughout the day. Instead of bread, meat and other carb-heavy foods, stick to leafy greens, fish and fruit.
Check out the Food in a minute website for some nutritious, healthy recipes for the whole family.
The downside?
This tip is unlikely to make a huge difference on its own, however, we can always stand to eat more fruit and veg.
#3 Keep curtains closed at the hottest parts of the day... Sometimes
Sun streaming through windows is a sure-fire way to have a house hotter than hades.
Consider keeping bedroom curtains and doors closed during the day when you're at work. But only if your curtains and blinds are light in colour, or designed specifically to keep heat out.
If you're at home and feel like your being slow-cooked in the oven that is your house, close the curtains and open windows. This will keep the sun out, but allow the air to circulate as much as possible.
In the evening as the temperature drops, whip open the curtains again.
The downside?
The type of curtains you have dictates how effective this tip is.
#4 Chuck that hot water bottle in the freezer
If you're like me and can't sleep without the weight of a blanket (and various animals), you'll need a way to stop your body overheating on particularly balmy nights.
A straight forward way to cool down your bed is to fill your winter hot water bottle with cool water, then pop it in the freezer.
When it's time for bed, wrap the frozen lump in a towel and pop it in your bed.
The Downside?
The towel should keep most of the melted ice water from flooding your sheets, but you'll likely end up with a bit of dampness.
#5 Swap out your sheets for a cotton set
Polyester sheets are affordable and lightweight, but they are also less breathable than their natural cotton counterparts.
Synthetic fibres have a tendency to trap moisture and heat, which makes for a sweaty an uncomfortable sleep.
Investing in cotton bedding can do wonders for your sleep quality.
The downside?
The cost of a good quality set of sheets can be off-putting for some.
#6 Switch bulbs to an energy-efficient type
If you have ever touched a lightbulb after it's been on, you'll know traditional light bulbs generate a tremendous amount of heat.
90% of the energy old filament light bulbs use, is lost as heat. Not only is that terrible for your energy bill, but that heat is contributing to the temperature in your home.
LED bulbs use less energy than any other type of light. 80% of the energy LED's use is giving off light.
The downside?
It can be expensive to replace all the lights in your home.
#7 Take a cold shower before bed
A quick and effective way to cool down is to jump into an icy shower before bed.
The benefits of a cold shower aren't limited to lowering your body temperature.
Even finishing your normal shower with a minute of cold water has benefits. Your pores and the cuticles in your hair open in the heat, a blast of cold water after having a wash closes them.
The Downside?
You have to have a cold shower...
#8 Houseplants
Houseplants are not only a great way to jazz up a room, but there are other benefits to adding some greenery.
Plants release extra moisture from their leaves into the air when the environments they're in warms up. This extra moisture can get stuffy air flowing.
Choose plants that are high in water content, such as aloe vera or a snake plant.
Bonus, they also improve air quality and reduce stress
The downside?
You're unlikely to notice a major difference in temperature.
#9 Keep pets off your bed at night
If you're one of those people who lets your animals sleep on your bed (like me), you'll know how much heat their little bodies generate.
It's better for your animals that they sleep on a mat on the floor. Heat rises and the floor can be the coolest place for them. Consider pampering your pooch with a cooling mat, to absorb some of their body heat
You'll benefit from not having a fluffy, living hot water bottle lying all over you.
The downside?
Breaking it to your animals that they have to sleep on the floor, is easier said than done.
#10 invest in an air conditioner
Sometimes, it's easier and more practical to bite the bullet and invest in some air conditioning.
The New Zealand climate can range from scorching summers to harsh winters. A high-quality air conditioning unit effectively cools and heats at both ends of the spectrum.
Heat pumps are the most cost-effective way to cool and heat your home long term.
Find out what size heat pump is right for you by getting in touch for a free in-home consultation.