Scientists Find Ideal Room Temperature for a Good Night's Sleep

Many people are very particular about how warm or cold their bedroom is when they go to sleep. Bedroom temperature can affect just how great your sleep is, and scientists seem to have found the ideal range to get a full night's worth of Zs.

A new study published in the Science of The Total Environment journal concluded that the best temperature for older adults to get a good night's sleep is between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Because our bodies aren't able to regulate temperature as well during REM sleep, room temperature can have a make-or-break role in how we rest. The warmer the room, the more frequently you'll wake up. 

Researchers studied 50 older adults and analyzed 11,000 nights of sleep as well as environmental information from those nights. They found a 5- to 10-percent drop in sleep efficiency as the room temperature rose from 77 degrees to 86 degrees.

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It's not only the temperature inside that can affect your sleep. The weather outside can also have an impact on how well you sleep. And with rising temperatures globally, it might take a toll on how well we rest. 

"Both climate change and urban-induced warming (aka urban heat island effect) can substantially increase nighttime temperatures,” lead researcher Amir Baniassadi said, per Healthline. “Meanwhile, our study finds a rapid decline in quality of sleep as the nighttime temperature rises above 77 degrees. So, we expect a decline in sleep quality as cities around the country get warmer."

As a result, people who don't have the ability to pay for cooling their home are at higher risk for health issues related to lack of sleep. They likely will also have less access to healthcare to deal with these problems in the future, Baniassadi warned. 

Before you get under the sheets tonight, make sure the thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature that will ensure the best night's sleep you'll ever have.