REM Sleep is the Unsung Hero of the Sleep Stages… Here’s Why
Google Trends has shown a 110% spike in searches for ‘How to get more REM sleep’ last week as weather remains stuffy in the UK, prompting a leading industry expert to share their best advice for getting better sleep in summer.
Sleep expert and founder of online hybrid mattress specialist OTTY Sleep, Michal Szlas explains below why heat disrupts key stages of rest, and what Brits can do about it while the forecast predicts warm for the foreseeable.
What is REM Sleep?
Michal explains, “REM, or ‘Rapid Eye Movement’, sleep is the stage where brains become more active, and dreams typically take place. This sleep stager is super important for emotional regulation, cognitive function and memory. Any disturbances from REM sleep, like being too hot or waking up frequently, means missing out on the benefits it brings to our everyday lives.”
Why the heat harms quality sleep
According to Lloyds Pharmacy, half of adults are finding it harder to sleep in summer months, yet doctors are advising that sleep is one of the best contributors to our health and wellbeing.
Michal adds, “REM and deep sleep are the foundation of feeling mentally and physically restored. REM sleep supports memory consolidation and emotional processing, while deep sleep is when the body repairs and regenerates. But both stages require a drop in core body temperature to begin, and that’s hard to achieve when it’s too warm at night.”
“Many feel groggy and unrested after a hot night as the body cannot cool down properly to enter these sleep stages and get good rest. You can be ‘asleep’ for seven or eight hours, but if you lacked on either of these sleep stages, you simply would not feel rested.”
Three tips to achieve optimal sleep stages:
1. Regulate bedroom environment
“Keeping your bedroom between 16–18°C is ideal for quality sleep, but that’s easier said than done in a heatwave,” says Michal. “Try closing curtains and blinds during the day to block heat from building up and use a quiet fan at night to circulate air. Even small changes to your bedroom environment can have a big impact on your ability to reach deeper sleep.”
2. Ensure bedding is breathable
Michal explains how your choice of mattress or bedding can affect sleep, and how OTTY are overcoming it. “Traditional memory foam can trap heat, so at OTTY we’ve developed mattresses and pillows with cooling gel-infused layers and bamboo fabrics to help wick away moisture and regulate body temperature natural. It’s about creating a sleep surface that supports your body, not one that adds to your discomfort.”
3. Routine is key
“A consistent bedtime and wake up time is the best thing for regulating your circadian rhythm,” says Michal. “It might be hard, but even when the weather changes or other factors such as daylight saving time kick in, sticking with a consistent bedtime could be the difference between getting enough REM sleep, and not feeling refreshed.”