Sleep expert names 'common' mistake people make as Met Office predicts 'extreme heat'

Sleep expert names 'common' mistake people make as Met Office predicts 'extreme heat' The Met Office has forecast temperatures up to 34C in the coming days with an amber weather warning for 'extreme heat' in force on Monday and Tuesday A sleep expert has named a “common misconception” that could stop you getting a good rest during a heatwave. It comes as the Met Office warns of “extreme heat” for large parts of England and Wales this week. The forecaster has issued an amber weather warning for the South East of England, the South West, London, and large parts of Wales from 1am on Monday. It will last until 11.59pm on Tuesday, June 23. The Met Office says temperatures could reach up to 34C on Tuesday. It urges people to stay safe by drinking plenty of fluid, keeping out of the sun when it’s at its strongest, and closing curtains in rooms that face the sun. People going out are urged to take supplies with them. The forecaster says: “If you are going out, take water with you, stay in the shade, wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat.” Now, sleep expert Lisa Artis, founder of The Sleep Charity, has shared her top tips for getting a good night’s rest during the warm weather. In particular, Lisa says there is one “common misconception” that many people find disrupts them. Lisa urges people struggling with the heat not to strip off at night. Speaking to The I paper, she said: “A common misconception is that sleeping naked is always cooler. “In reality, lightweight sleepwear made from breathable fabrics can often be more effective. Clothing can help wick sweat away from the skin, allowing it to evaporate and cool the body more efficiently.” Lisa says that without the layer of clothing sweat will simply “remain on the skin” or “soak into the bedding”. This she says could make you feel even hotter or less comfortable at night. Lisa explains there are some simple tips you can do to make sure your bedroom is cool at night as well. She says people should close their curtains and blinds throughout the day to keep the sun out. She believes creating the “coolest possible environment” can make it “easier to stay asleep and fall asleep”. Elsewhere she says that many people often find themselves putting their fans in the wrong place. In fact, she says that putting a fan in a hot room “may not achieve much” at all. She continued: “Positioning a fan near an open window in the evening can help pull cooler air into the room.” Lisa went on to explain that some people often put a bowl of ice in front of their fan to create a “temporary cooling breeze”. She also says that keeping your window closed in the day will also help trap the warm air outside your home. Should anyone be looking for a way to stay cool at night, Lisa recommends putting cold water into a hot water bottle. She says putting this near your wrists or ankles can then cool you down at night.