The simple 2-second change in bed experts say will help you sleep in heatwaves

The UK has seen very high temperatures over the last couple of weeks, often beating the Caribbean sun, which is a rarity in most summers in the UK. With temperatures exceeding 35C for the past week or so, many Britons have been finding ways to keep cool and hydrated, with many hacks online and often getting it wrong, especially when sleeping.

Despite the use of strong fans, wet flannels and copious thoughts and prayers, sleeping in this heat can be really difficult. So any hack to help elevate the strain on our bedrooms this summer is worth trying. Experts at Good Housekeeping shared a two-second hack that will change the temperature at night when it’s time to hit the sheets for a good night’s sleep without the heat being too much.

Experts suggested that a simple move that can make a pretty sizeable difference in how you feel the effects of the heat at night is to move your bedroom away from walls, especially exterior ones, or anything in direct sunlight.

During a heatwave, walls exposed to direct sunlight can absorb large amounts of heat throughout the day. Even after the sun sets and outdoor temperatures begin to fall, those walls continue releasing the stored heat back into the room.

If your bed is pushed right up against a wall that’s been warming up all day, you could be making hot nights even more uncomfortable. The wall continues to give off heat long after the sun has gone down, meaning you’re effectively trying to sleep beside a giant radiator.

Moving your bed just a few inches away can help. That small gap allows air to circulate more freely, reducing the amount of heat that transfers from the wall to your mattress.

It also stops warm air from getting trapped behind the bed, helping the space around you feel a little cooler.

It’s not a miracle fix, but on those sticky summer nights, every little bit helps. With plenty more warm weather still to come, it’s one of the easiest changes you can make if you’re struggling to stay cool while you sleep.