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Just Too Hot to Get Any Sleep

(92 Posts)
Warmglovesandsocks Sun 21-Jun-26 17:03:43

Forgive me Gransnetters if this is in the wrong category but I don’t post very often. My health is suffering through lack of sleep and I’m wanting to buy the best double cooling sheet and pillowcases I can possibly afford. Don’t laugh but I started by looking at pet cooling mats until I realised that I can get them for human beings. I’ve skirted through a well known online retailer which I usually use and am happy to use, but the choice is too much. Has anyone bought a double cooling sheet or cooling mat that actually keeps them cool for a reasonable time.

Cressy Wed 24-Jun-26 00:09:58

Sane here NotANana. 😂 after the day I’ve had that was a welcome giggle. Thanks Grandmaofone

NotANana Tue 23-Jun-26 23:54:34

Thank you, Grandmaofone, for your fabulous typo! I’m trying not to giggle in case I wake the sleeping oh!

Warmglovesandsocks Tue 23-Jun-26 15:50:19

Thanks guys. Just to let you know my pet gel mat has arrived and I have a nice cold bottom! Also my two gel pillows have arrived and I will try those tonight, all from Amazon. I can’t put the mat in the fridge as others have suggested because there’s no room, but I’m a happy bunny at any rate. Great suggestions everyone!

Casdon Tue 23-Jun-26 14:39:12

My sister lives in Australia, and she uses her solar power to run her air conditioning unit, so after the capital outlay, there is no additional cost. That could be an option for UK homes in the future, hopefully.

Dee25 Tue 23-Jun-26 14:23:18

When you describe hanging a heavy linen sheet in front of the open window, is this a wet sheet? Otherwise, I don't see how it can "draw the heat"...?

Norah Tue 23-Jun-26 13:12:31

Jaxjacky

Norah

Quoting myself, from a different thread---

DeLonghi, portable air con do make a huge difference, I believe.

Ours are fairly quiet, small, roll around, and my husband fitted vents for them by engineering the hose vent parts to fit wall openings he also engineered.

They’re also expensive Norah. Many couldn’t afford them,

I understand.

Portable air con is only a possiblity if affordable.

keepcalmandcavachon Tue 23-Jun-26 11:49:27

A little houseplant mist sprayer is also a handy bedtime buddy!

MissAdventure Tue 23-Jun-26 11:26:06

Ooh that's good news!
Mine don't arrive until tomorrow.
My own fault for scanning around for the cheapest - its often the way that these things take longer to arrive if you won't part with the money.

keepcalmandcavachon Tue 23-Jun-26 11:22:40

My cooling blanket arrived yesterday and am very pleased to say that it worked! Less than impressed upon opening as it looked and felt just like heavy nylon but felt cool & soothing at night.
Simply moved it around a bit if the cooling effect needed tweaking! I don't know how the 'magic' happens but it does sunshine

watermeadow Tue 23-Jun-26 10:32:50

I used to feel the heat badly but it’s much less of a problem now in my old age.
My old cottage is much cooler than a modern house - thick walls, small windows and no insulation.
I don’t do anything which can wait in hot weather and spend hours sitting or sleeping in front of a fan.
I throw a ball around for my dog instead of walks, when dogs are not supposed to be out.
I get up earlier (4ish) to do everything necessary whilst it’s cooler.

MartavTaurus Tue 23-Jun-26 10:20:26

I'll look for it to see if I can find it.
Probably in Ouest France.

mokryna Tue 23-Jun-26 10:08:43

Could you tell me where a
I can find the article please. The doctor has changed the medication but told me I must wait for cooler times. Thanks

MartavTaurus Tue 23-Jun-26 09:42:41

mokryna

My doctor told me to stop the Blood Pressure medication, I normally take, while there is hot weather

Yes I read that here in France, funnily enough.
There was an article what each type of pill was more dangerous in hot weather.
I've been chopping mine in half!

mokryna Tue 23-Jun-26 09:15:26

My doctor told me to stop the Blood Pressure medication, I normally take, while there is hot weather

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Tue 23-Jun-26 08:55:45

Thank you for reminding me that I have two gel mats sitting in the wardrobe! 😮
I’ll pop them in the fridge later and use them tonight!

They were bought a couple of years ago when Himself was on chemotherapy and he couldn’t cope with the added heat of summer.

Fallingstar Tue 23-Jun-26 08:53:48

Sorry just to add that extremely hot weather can exacerbate AF and presumably other heart problems.

Fallingstar Tue 23-Jun-26 08:52:49

Not great for my DH whom I care for. He was up several times with atrial fibrillation so I was up giving him an extra beta blocker and waiting for it to slow down. He had the Watchman surgery last year to avoid another stroke but that does not stop AF.
This weather is not good for older people with serious health difficulties.

jusnoneed Tue 23-Jun-26 08:31:35

Similar to the hot water bottle idea, I have a large freezer block which is meant for cool bags. Once frozen wrap it in a tea towel and that helps getting off to sleep.

mokryna Tue 23-Jun-26 08:13:07

It was over 30 at midnight both in and outside but I can’t stand the mossies so slept with the windows closed. It’s better that way as I certainly would not be able to sleep if one was flying around.
There are no air conditioners in the shops at the moment but maybe I should think about getting one for next year as this is the second wave we have had this year, 39 yesterday.
Traveling to Manchester next week, that will be a shock to the system.

grannybuy Tue 23-Jun-26 07:45:56

I can’t help, as haven’t got that problem in NE Scotland. It was 17deg yesterday. The sun is out this morning, so hoping for a warmer day.

Macaydia Tue 23-Jun-26 06:41:49

I have a drink coolbox and i replaced the lid with a wooden one with two holes (one large, one small). I freeze a bread pan ice cube, place it in the box, set a fan face down to blow into the box and icy air blows out a tube from the other hole.

Its affordable but dont let the fan get wet .

handbaghoarder Tue 23-Jun-26 06:14:59

Make your HWB into a CWB. Once youve put cold water in just pop it in freezer. Put it in bed before you go up yourself and it cools bed a treat and stays cold for ages. If its too cold against your skin wrap it in a tea towel to take chill off 😂

MartavTaurus Tue 23-Jun-26 06:00:13

The fan seems to have helped a better night's sleep. There was no point buying a posh one here because we won't be taking it home in the car, that space is reserved for the wine!

I was only thinking how clever the body is at adjusting to temperature. The longer this heatwave continues, the more both body and mindset become accepting and somehow cope.

So far, my best tip is putting bed linen in the freezer until needed.

Hope you're all bearing up and managed some rest.

georgiejg Mon 22-Jun-26 22:12:01

I bought a dog cooling blanket from temu, it almost fits my double bed and is cool for a while so my feet searching for a cool bit.

Jaxjacky Mon 22-Jun-26 22:02:26

Norah

Quoting myself, from a different thread---

DeLonghi, portable air con do make a huge difference, I believe.

Ours are fairly quiet, small, roll around, and my husband fitted vents for them by engineering the hose vent parts to fit wall openings he also engineered.

They’re also expensive Norah. Many couldn’t afford them,