The Best Winter Sleep Tips

Winter can be a harsh season, but your home should be a place for warmth and rest. We have collected some of our top tips for you to get your best sleep possible during the coldest season. 11 Winter Sleep Tips that will help you get great sleep even when it is bitterly cold outside. From tips on how to create your ideal cozy winter bedding, to temperature recommendations for your heater. We have all the tips and tricks that will help you sleep well this winter.

Winter Sleep Tips #1 – Don’t Blast The Heater

Of course, when it is cold outside, it is important to keep your home warm and cozy. However, if you are blasting the heat at night when you are trying to sleep, it could actually make it more difficult to rest at night.

The optimal sleep temperature for your house remains the same year round, which is a comfortable 68-70 degrees. This is the ideal temperature range to keep you comfortable throughout the night as you sleep. As we sleep our bodies tend to struggle to regulate internal body temperature.

Keeping the house at a cool to neutral temperature, it becomes easier to regulate our temperature and stay comfortable in order to not have disrupted sleep. If you make your home much warmer or cooler than 68-70 degrees, then you will find your body will wake you up in order to either cool off or warm up.

Winter Sleep Tips #2 – Wake up easier

One of the most difficult parts of sleeping during the winter, is actually trying to wake up and get out of bed. A lot of this has to do with how dark it gets in the mornings during the winter season. Our circadian rhythm really kicks in the wake up process as the sun rises. However, we do not live in a world where we can sleep in until the sun rises each morning. Which is why we have found a better way to wake up naturally when it is still dark outside.

Get yourself an alarm clock that uses light to wake you up slowly and naturally. How does it work? Well when it comes to products like the Philips Hue Go Lights, you can set a time for your light to slowly turn on in order to mimic the rising sun. You will be amazed by how effective this alarm clock works. It is amazing how naturally you will wake up without being jolted awake by the buzzing of an alarm clock. This allows you to wake up naturally even if it is still pitch black outside.

Winter Sleep Tips #3 – Have the right PJ’s

Warm pajamas are great, warm pajamas that wick away moisture and are breathable are even better! There are a lot of great fuzzy pajamas out there that are warm and soft but made out of materials that will lock in moisture and heat causing you to sweat and then get the chills.

Instead, we recommend finding pajamas that are made out of natural materials that are more breathable. Cotton is great at wicking away moisture and you can even find flannel sets made entirely out of cotton.

Wool is also a good option as it is a natural temperature regulator. Layers are also a great option as it allows you to shed a layer if you find you are getting too warm throughout the night.

For pajamas made out of natural materials we highly recommend checking out Hass Apparel by Avocado!

Winter Sleep Tips #4 – Socks or no socks?

There is a running debate on whether or not to wear socks to bed.

While some believe that socks are required in order to stay warm, others argue that socks keep cold feet cold or warm feet warm. Which is why so many people prefer to go to bed without socks on.

A go to parent hack is to make sure your kids are sock free when getting into bed in order for them to fall asleep comfortably. However, trying to go to sleep with ice cold toes can be nearly impossible. Which is why we recommend warming up your feet and then putting on socks if you have trouble with icy cold toes. Then if you get too warm as you are sleeping you can always take your socks off in bed.

Winter Sleep Tips #5 – Enjoy warm, soothing tea

There really is something to be said about warming yourself up from the inside out. If you find yourself chilled to the bone during winter before bed, then we highly recommend a soothing cup of tea. Keep it decaf for best results before bed of course. A warm beverage like tea can be an ideal way to warm up right before heading off to sleep. It can even be an ideal nightly ritual to calm yourself down and prepare to head off to sleep.

For extra warming properties, look for teas that contain ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, and even cayenne as these are warming spices that can help make you feel toasty warm. One of our personal favorites is the Tazo Sweet Cinnamon Herbal Tea. Even if you do not like spices there are so many different kinds of tea out there that you are sure to find one that you will love. Just be sure to skip the caffeine until the morning.

For more nighttime tea recommendations check out our post: Best Tea For Sleep – Top 8 Bedtime Teas

Winter Sleep Tips #6 – Get a humidifier

Heaters tend to suck the moisture right out of the air. Which can not only make your skin, hair, and eyes feel dry.

It can also dry out your nasal passages and airways which can make it easier for you to get sick. It can also be generally uncomfortable and make it difficult to stay asleep at night.

One of our top winter sleep tips is to recommend getting a humidifier for your bedroom. If you are worried about it causing a cold breeze, no worries there are humidifiers made to create a warm draft and prevent chilling breezes in the room. The Steamfast Warm-Mist Humidifier is a great option if you are wanting a warm mist humidifier.

This is not only great to use in the winter but also helpful year round if you are struggling with the common cold or upper raspatory illnesses.

Winter Sleep Tips #7 – Continue to exercise

It can be difficult to “feel the burn” when it is freezing outside. However, one way to make sure your circadian rhythm stays on track is by continuing to work out regularly.

It can be all too easy to snuggle up at home instead of making your way out to the gym. We know this from personal experience, but working out on a regular basis can help expel excess energy as well as regulate your circadian rhythm which helps you to get to sleep at night and wake up in the morning.

Working out regularly is also wonderful for your overall health and wellbeing. Not only for regulating your weight, but also for your cardiovascular health too. Exercise can directly impact direct your ability to get a great night’s sleep. Read our article Why Exercise Is Good For Sleep to learn why sleep and activity go hand in hand.

Winter Sleep Tips #8 – Take a warm bath

What better way to prepare for bed during the winter than taking a nice warm bath? Sometimes a warm cup of tea and snuggly sucks just won’t cut it when you’re cold to the bone. On those extra cold nights, we suggest taking a very warm bath.

Similar to our tea recommendations, finding bath bombs or Epsom salts that use warming scents or essential oils can also be a great way to add extra warmth to your bath.

You can even add slices of fresh ginger for an added boost of heat and a great scent as well. If you don’t have fresh ginger we recommend the Magnesium Bath Salts from Reed + Gwen Skincare by Avocado. It has a soothing scent and the magnesium soak helps you to get to sleep.

Winter Sleep Tips #9 – Get a good pair of slippers

While you won’t be wearing your slippers into bed, they are wonderful to have close by. House shoes do an incredible job at keeping your feet warm when you are walking around the house in your pajamas.

They also protect your heat from the cold when you get up in the morning. We suggest getting a quality set of slippers that will keep your feet toasty warm. We suggest opting for Sheepskin slippers made with genuine shearling liner and a rubber soul. These soft and cozy slippers offer the ideal option for both Women & Men.

Wear them as you get ready for bed and place them next to your bed so that you can put them back on first thing in the morning. Great slipper also make for a wonderful holiday gift! Click the link below for more ideas.

Gifts For Him: Cozy Gifts That He Will LOVE!

Winter Sleep Tips #10 – Invest In Thick Curtains

This may sound a bit out there at first, but here us out. To keep warmth in, and heat out it is good to have insulation. While modern windows do a great job at insulating your home, they can still be a place where heat escapes.

A great way to combat this issue and avoid drafts is to invest in nice thick curtains. You can cover the windows at night and it acts as another layer of defense between your cozy warm bedroom and the cold winter winds outside. Black out curtains are a great option because not only so they tend to be thick, they also do a great job at blocking out unwanted light. Just be sure to open the curtains when it is sunny out in order to capitalize the heat from the sun.

Learn more about how seasons can affect your sleep in our post: How Seasonal Changes & Weather Affect Sleep

Winter Sleep Tips #11 – Snuggle up

Winter truly is the best season for snuggles. You really can’t beat getting warm and cuddled up with someone you love. Whether that is your furry best friend, your child, or your spouse a good snuggle is one of our favorite winter sleep tips. It is a great way to not only stay warm and get comfortable, it is also ideal for releasing feel good hormones in order to get to sleep even easier.

For all those sleeping alone tonight, we did not forget you. There is another way to get some of the best benefits of snuggling all by yourself. A weighted blanket does miracles by calming anxiety and helps promote production of serotonin which is very beneficial for great sleep.

Read The Benefits of Cuddling to learn more about all of the was cuddling can add to your sleep.

Winter Sleep Tips Final Thoughts:

Winter is coming! Now hopefully you will be prepared with a bunch of tips and tricks on how you can get better sleep this winter season. Staying comfortable and warm is absolutely key when it comes to getting great sleep. Let us know if you take our advice this winter and if it helps you get better sleep. If you have any questions make sure to head over to our Contact Us page and send us a message, we would love to hear from you and answer any questions you have.