Our guide to the best mattresses we've tested this year includes options for every position, body type and budget and is certainly the first step toward a restful night's sleep.
Bright summer days seem like an old distant memory already, with the drop in temperature, cold gusts of wind and fallen leaves. While this can mean blissful hibernation season for some, others might find the transition is wreaking havoc on their sleep.
However, if you're anything like me, turning on the heating at night can only amplify the problem. While the intention was to set the right temperature for sleep, tweaking the thermostat before bed proved to be counter-productive. It made me overheat in the middle of the night which led to waking up.
The good news? I finally cracked the code to cozy sleep and it involves making clever bedding choices. Plus you can now snag great discounts on products from popular bedding brands, thanks to the current Black Friday bedding deals. But first, keep reading to find out my top tips and how they helps me achieve restful sleep every night...
5 ways bedding can help you sleep cozy this fall
1. Layer up your bed
I'm someone who tends to run cold, but heavier bedding is not always the solution. Layering up is my fool-proof way to sleep cozy this fall and no, it need not necessarily be as complicated as the new 'potato-bed trend'.
The key is to incorporate materials, like cotton, linen or bamboo, which are known for their breathability. Think a mattress protector, a fitted sheet, a top sheet followed by a fluffy yet breathable comforter and an extra textured or weighted blanket for more warmth.
The idea is that you have full control over your bed's temperature— all you have to do is peel away or add in more layers, until you achieve the desired comfort level which works for your sleep.
Need more guidance? Check out the feature I wrote on how to effectively dress your bed for all.
2. Invest in a weighted blanket
Yes, a weighted blanket has been the talk of the town for a while and I'm only catching up now. I tried one for the first time recently and in short, loved it.
How can it help you sleep better this fall? For starters, these are a serious upgrade from your regular blankets and therefore, can provide much more than just adding warmth.
Weighted blankets work on the principle of "deep-touch pressure therapy". This basically means that the micro-glass beads or plastic pellets (which make up the 'weight') deliver a full-body hug sensation, which according to studies, can have a positive impact on stress and nighttime anxiety.
In my experience, layering my weighted blanket with a breathable duvet resulted in a perfect sleep nest. It not only helped me fall asleep faster and stay cozy, but also considerably reduced the number of times I shifted positions during the night — which translates into more restful sleep.
3. Add in more plush elements
Another way of enhancing the cozy comfort of your bed without overheating, is to add in more elements like body pillows and weighted plushies.
Side sleepers, especially, will love the support of contouring body pillows which can correct your posture in bed and maintain your spinal alignment.
Need something more aesthetic or visually appealing for kids? Weighted stuffed animals are a great alternative. These work just like a weighted blanket, but are smaller in size and hence, more manageable.
Some brands also offer a warming feature — which means you can microwave your plush toy and snuggle up in bed with it. Check out more about the one I recently tried and recommend below.
4. Icy cold? Level up to a higher tog rating
While layering your bed can work well for most people, this also depends on your tolerance to the cold and of course, the climate where you live. This means there's no set day or time to switch to heavier duvets.
However, the one thing you should pay attention to is the tog rating. Thermal Overall Grade or TOG, is the measurement of how well your duvet can retain heat.
Tog rating ranges from 4.5 to 15. While a 10.5 tog duvet is generally recommended for spring and autumn, a 12 to 15 tog is ideal for those living colder locales.
5. Wear socks to bed
Okay, so it's not technically bedding. But the easiest and oldest trick of all? Pop on some socks. Our bodies tend to lose the most heat through the extremities— hands, feet and head. Covering your feet helps your body better cope with heat loss during the night.
Contrary to common belief, this will not cause overheating. “Warming up your feet sends a signal to your brain to lower your core temperature—a cue that it's time for rest," explained Dr Chelsea Perry, owner of Sleep Solutions and a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in a previous conversation with us.
This, in turn, will help you fall asleep faster and sleep deeply since it stabilizes your body temperature throughout the night.
