Does the heat have you tossing and turning in bed? You’re not alone. Nearly 90% of Americans report waking up after they initially fall asleep, many due to an uncomfortable sleep environment. And when temperatures rise, it gets even harder to stay asleep. From night sweats to stuffy air, overheating can disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycles — leaving you groggy and unrested the next day.
Luckily, by adjusting your sleep environment, you can stay cooler at night, prevent overheating, and wake up feeling more refreshed and well-rested. Finding the perfect mattress that keeps you cool should be a top priority for those who struggle with temperature regulation at night.
Let’s explore how to find the right cooling mattress for you.
Why is it Important to Keep Cool While You Sleep?
Keeping cool while you sleep is essential for maintaining your body’s natural sleep cycle. As bedtime approaches, your core temperature naturally drops to signal that it’s time to rest. If your environment is too warm, it can interfere with this process, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Overheating during the night can lead to restlessness, frequent wake-ups, and reduced time spent in the deeper, restorative stages of sleep.
Staying cool also helps regulate other bodily functions that are critical during rest, such as hormone production, cellular repair, and heart rate. When your body temperature remains elevated, it can trigger sweating, dehydration, and discomfort that disrupt your sleep. By creating a cool and breathable sleep environment, you can improve sleep quality, enhance physical recovery, and feel more energized when you wake up.
Tips to Keep Cool During the Night
There are many reasons you may be feeling hot at night. Regardless of the reason, if you aren’t able to cool off, sleeping becomes a difficult task. Here are a few tips to regulate your temperature when it comes time for bed:
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Keep your thermostat between 60 - 67 degrees Fahrenheit and direct an oscillating fan in the direction of your bed.
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If you sleep with a partner, create enough distance so they’re not enhancing your body heat. Additionally, don’t let pets (especially big ones) sleep in the bed with you.
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Take a warm shower or bath before bed so that when you get out, you’re physically in a cooler environment. Your body will naturally begin to regulate itself to cool down.
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Stay hydrated throughout the day. Proper hydration supports your body’s natural cooling systems and helps reduce the chance of overheating during sleep.
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Avoid alcohol or large meals before bed. Both can raise your body temperature and interfere with your ability to fall and stay asleep comfortably.
While taking these tips into account can help reduce the intensity of heat flashes at night, the best thing to do is sleep on a mattress that keeps you cool.
Which Features Do I Need in a Cooling Mattress?
If you wake up hot and sweaty, your mattress could be part of the problem. The right cooling mattress can help regulate your body temperature and improve sleep quality — especially during warmer months. But with so many options, which features actually make a difference? Look for these essentials:
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Breathable Materials: Materials like latex and open-cell memory foam promote airflow to keep heat from getting trapped.
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Moisture-Wicking Covers: Covers made from performance fabrics help pull sweat away from your body and dry quickly.
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Gel or Copper Infusions: Cooling gels or copper particles in the foam actively pull heat away from your body.
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Phase-Change Technology (PCT): PCT materials adjust to your body temperature in real time, keeping you cool when it's hot and warm when it's cold.
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Zoned Support for Airflow: Mattresses with cut-out channels or airflow zones allow better circulation under your body.
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Hybrid Construction: Coil-based layers offer enhanced breathability compared to solid foam designs.
Choosing a cooling mattress with these features can make a noticeable difference in how comfortably — and how long — you sleep.
Which Features Do I Need in Cooling Sheets?
Upgrading your sheets is another simple, but powerful, fix if you’re overheating at night. Cooling sheets are designed to regulate temperature, wick away moisture, and improve airflow — but not all are created equal. Here’s what to look for:
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Breathable Weave: Percale or sateen weaves allow better airflow compared to tighter weaves like flannel.
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Moisture-Wicking Fabric: Materials like bamboo, TENCEL™, or performance blends help pull sweat away from your skin.
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Lightweight Material: Thinner, lighter sheets naturally trap less heat and feel cooler on contact.
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Temperature-Regulating Fibers: Some sheets use fibers designed to adapt to your body heat and keep you cool throughout the night.
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Smooth, Cool-to-the-Touch Texture: A slick, silky surface — like what you find in sateen or bamboo sheets — can feel instantly refreshing.
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Durability Through Washes: Quality cooling sheets should hold their shape and performance even after multiple washes.
Choosing sheets with these features can help you stay dry, cool, and comfortable — no matter how high the temperature climbs.
Sleep 8 Degrees Cooler With a TEMPUR-Luxebreeze° Mattress by TEMPUR-Pedic
For those committed to finding a solution that works, look no further than the TEMPUR-Luxebreeze° Mattress. Available in firm or soft comfort levels, this mattress is the first of its kind to keep you up to eight degrees cooler from the moment you hop into bed, throughout your sleep and into the morning.
With a zip-off cover that offers double cooling comfort, advanced cooling technology that dissipates heat, and TEMPUR® Material that maximizes proper airflow, you’ll feel noticeably cooler all night long.
Unsure which cooling mattress is right for you? Take our bedMATCH quiz® to find out.