The UK has reached 31 degrees: here's 5 tips for staying cool in the heatwave
Things are heating up in the UK, and that means several things – BBQs, evenings outside and for many, disrupted sleep. With temperatures expected to hit over 30°C this weekend, we’ve gathered five expert-backed tips to help you stay cool and sleep better, including smart product swaps from Emma Sleep – the home of cooling mattresses, pillows and breathable bedding..
1. Keep those blinds closed!
It's a ritual to open the curtains every morning, but in a heatwave, this will do more harm than good. Keep your curtains or blinds closed, but open the windows. This will allow for a steady airflow to circulate the room, without the blazing sunshine pouring in and heating the space.
If you're thinking of a bigger bedroom refresh, look into Emma’s bedding bundles as they’re cleverly designed with breathable fabrics to help regulate temperature overnight.
2. Change your mattress
Standard memory foam mattresses are often built to retain heat which isn’t ideal in summer. The good news? Brands like Emma Sleep now offer temperature-regulating mattresses and bedding that help keep you cool, even on the warmest summer nights.
Emma Hybrid Thermosync Mattress
The Emma Hybrid Thermosync Mattress was created with innovative thermosync technology. Each mattress contains multiple layers, three of which are designed to help you regulate your body temperature at night.
The third layer of the mattress is an innovative foam layer which not only enhances airflow but is also built for comfort, cradling your body for a more relaxing night's sleep. This layer is followed by Emma's ThermoSync foam, which is infused with graphite particles. These help to capture the excess heat produced by your body, allowing you to fall into a deep, undisturbed slumber.
Finally, all these layers are topped off with the Emma UltraDry™ cover. This breathable, award-winning cover is moisture-wicking, easy to remove and washable – perfect for hot nights.
Summer Giveaway: Get free pillows and a mattress protector worth £245 when you buy the Emma Hybrid ThermoSync Mattress.
Emma Hybrid Airgrid Mattress
When the temperatures reach 31 degrees, it can be difficult to stay cool at night, but the Emma Hybrid Airgrid Mattress is designed to help you sleep no matter the weather. Unlike normal mattresses, this innovative mattress retains less heat thanks to its large air channels. The grid design allows maximum airflow, and the gel-like material is cool to the touch – ideal for stuffy summer nights.
Not only does this grid design regulate your temperature, but it also provides exceptional support for your body's pressure points. The Emma Hybrid Airgrid Mattress allows you to rest easily, safe in the knowledge that your body is both comfortable and cool.
Limited-time offer: Get up to £430 worth of free extras, including Cloud Pillows, a mattress protector and a Cloud Duvet, when you shop the Airgrid as part of Emma Sleep’s Summer Giveaway.
Premium Foam Pillow Bundle
There's no point having the perfect mattress if your pillows then let you down! Emma's premium pillow range ticks all the boxes for a more restful sleep. Comfy, supportive and made with the all-important ThermoSync cooling foam, they're what you need to beat the heat.
Get a free Emma Premium Cloud Pillow with Emma Sleep's Summer Giveaway
3. Avoid evening exercise
‘Don’t exercise too close to bedtime, as this will temporarily increase your core body temperature, which needs time to drop again before sleep’ – Professor Kevin Morgan, a sleep expert from Loughborough University, told Your Home Style.
If you want to exercise, choose early mornings or midday indoor workouts, ensuring you stay hydrated throughout.
Whilst hydration helps, so does a sleep setup designed to keep you cool. Cooling pillows (especially the Premium Foam Pillow) use ThermoSync™ technology to draw heat away from your head and neck.
4. Lukewarm showers
It may sound counterintuitive, but lukewarm showers are much better for regulating your body temperature than cold ones. 'Water that is too cold can close pores and affect your ability to sweat away any excess heat during the night.’ Professor Kevin Morgan explains.
Take a lukewarm shower before you go to sleep, allowing your body to gradually and naturally cool down.
5. Place a bowl of ice in front of your fan
If your room is already hot, the chances are your fan is simply blowing hot air around your space – not ideal when the temperature reaches over 30 degrees.
Place a bowl of ice cubes in front of your fan, remembering to replace the ice once it all melts. The fan will blow air over the ice, making the circulating breeze much cooler and more refreshing.
@whichuk 🥵🔥Heatwave hack: place a bowl of water or ice in front of your fan 👌 #heatwave #summer #sun #hot #aircon #airconditioner #GetAnswers ♬ original sound - Which?
Emma Sleep's Ultimate Summer Giveaway is here!
Interested in upgrading your mattress for summer? Emma Sleep is running an incredible offer throughout July. Get free pillows, duvets and a protector worth up to £430 with selected mattresses! Be quick though – the offer ends on 2nd August 2025.
Still not sure what to buy? Head over to the Emma Sleep's Summer Giveaway or get your bedroom summer-ready with these fantastic offers:
