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\nDecember is the season for shorter days, colder nights, chillier mornings, and potentially more difficulty getting a good night\u2019s sleep. If this time of year means more tossing and turning at night for you, here are some ways to optimize your home to get better quality sleep all winter long.<\/p>\n
The top tip for sleeping better is to NOT turn up the thermostat too high to compensate for cold temperatures outside. A cool temperature remains conducive for quality sleep even during the winter. A home heated too warm can leave you feeling uncomfortable and dehydrated in the morning. And overheating your house keeps your body\u2019s internal temperature from dropping to prepare for sleep. Turn down your heat and have an extra blanket handy if you do get chilly.<\/p>\n
The Department of Energy recommends keeping your house at a temperature around 68 degrees in the winter months. If you\u2019re at home, setting your thermostat between 68 to 72 degrees might be ideal. At night, you may sleep more comfortably by turning down the temperature between 62 and 66 degrees. It\u2019s best to acclimate your body by lowering the thermostat by one degree every few days. Because heating makes up the largest percentage of your monthly utility bills, these recommendations can reduce your energy consumption up to 10 percent.<\/p>\n
Keeping your home toasty inside can dry out your nose and throat, which may cause you to wake up more frequently during the night. By running a humidifier in your bedroom, you\u2019ll be adding moisture back into the air, enabling more sound sleep. Make certain that you regularly clean the humidifier to prevent mildew and mold from building up in the water reservoir.<\/p>\n
When your home is losing warm air to the outside, you\u2019re wasting heat, increasing your energy bills, and disrupting your sleep patterns. The inflow of cold air may cause your thermostat to adjust by overheating your house to compensate for the fluctuations in temperature. Seal cracks, gaps, and windowsills to reduce heat loss.<\/p>\n