How to Sleep Without Air Con
If you aren’t one of those lucky folks with arctic-level air conditioning, this is what to do to get some rest in the middle of a sweltering August.
We’ve all experienced them: Those sweaty, miserably humid summer nights when it’s just too hot to sleep. But why does the weather have such an impact on our snooze time, anyway? “The brain regulates body temperature and sleep in a shared area called the hypothalamus, so it’s not surprising that there’s a relationship,” explains neurologist and sleep expert Dr. Brian Murray. “The body regulates temperature carefully within a few degrees, and a slight drop in body temperature facilitates sleep onset.”
If you’re uncomfortably hot, then, sleep becomes elusive, and humidity doesn’t help matters. “Humidity interferes with the sweating response that cools the body, so there’s more difficulty in inducing that drop in body temperature,” says Murray.
So how can you stay cool during a heat wave? First, choose sheets in breathable fabrics made from natural fibers like cotton or linen — don’t touch polyester with a 10-foot pole. Sticking your sheets in the freezer before bedtime will also help keep your body cooler, but make sure they stay dry: “Damp sheets might interfere with the loss of skin sweat and hinder the body’s cooling response,” warns Murray.
Try sleeping on your side, too, which “increases your body’s surface area exposure to air and should lead to more cooling,” advises Murray. Since heat rises, you might also want to consider sleeping in your basement, if that’s an option. Either way, don’t underestimate the power of an electric fan or three: A decent mid-range pedestal or tower fan will make a world of difference in your bedroom.
Finally, while it might seem tempting to grab a pillow and sleep outside, Murray doesn’t recommend it: “A raccoon bite will be a lot more of a problem than a bit of sleep disruption.” Can’t argue with that!
DSC Very Useful Tip #137
Cooled down but still having trouble sleeping? Write down anything that’s worrying you and know you’ll deal with those things in the morning, so you don’t have to worry about them all night long. Just use a notepad and pen—your phone is the last thing you should be looking at in bed.
Why Are Butts Shaped the Way They Are?
In brief (or rather, in briefs, HA!), our gluteus maximus (aka, butt) muscles help us remain stable while walking upright, while our wide pelvises—the structural support behind our hips and butts—provided the balance necessary to transition from walking on all fours to standing upright. That’s why non-human primates like gorillas have relatively flat butts—they don’t need any extra stability, because they walk on all fours. Butts also change shape over the course of our lives, especially if we work a desk job. Years of sitting can cause anterior pelvic tilt, which is when your pelvis essentially tilts forward and makes your butt look flatter than it really is. So get up and take a walk now and again!
Oh, FAQ: How Do I Stop My Toiletries From Exploding in My Suitcase?
1. “If you’re going to be buying any kind of container for your products, always make sure that you only fill it about 1/3 of the way,” says Jason “The Germ Guy” Tetro, author of The Germ Files. That way, the liquid will have plenty of room to squish around inside the bottle, instead of bursting out.
2. Alternatively, just buy yourself a dopp kit! Might we recommend one made from water-resistant waxed canvas that’s handily designed to fit all your DSC products..?
Check Out This Week’s DSC Podcast
DSC NOT Very Useful Tip #703
Having trouble sleeping on vacation? Simply trek eight hours back to your own home every night and return to your hotel in the morning. After two weeks you’ll be fully refreshed and ready to go back to work with a smile!