How to get a good sleep on hot nights

Victorians have sweltered through some hot nights recently, and we’re in for many more.

The mercury is set to remain above 20 degrees all night for the next three nights, and a heat health warning is in place for Melbourne on Wednesday.

Health psychologist from the Sleep Health Foundation, Dr Moira Junge, says keeping your skin cool is the key to sleeping well on hot nights.

“Our core body temperature actually drops when we’re sleeping,” she told Dee Dee.

“The trouble with the hot nights is that our skin temperature remains a bit hot.

“The trick is to keep your skin temperature as cold as possible, so having your feet sticking out of the sheets, or having a cold face washer on your forehead 0r your hands or your feet, making sure you have air circulating.”

Dr Junge said accepting that you may not sleep as well as usual on hot nights is also important, and if you really can’t sleep you may be better off staying up later and not going to bed until you’re very tired.

Press PLAY below for Dr Junge’s tips for sleeping well on hot nights