Sleep struggles in warm weather a common issue, says University of Worcester heatwaves expert
Temperatures have reached the high 30s this week across both counties
A University of Worcester expert in heatwaves and human health has said she has seen through her work how the current warm weather can make things really difficult when it comes to trying to get to sleep.
Temperatures have been high in both Herefordshire and Worcestershire this week, with places reaching above 30C.
A red health heat alert from the UK's Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been in force across the region over Wednesday and Thursday and was also extended to cover today (26 June), which has also seen West Midlands Ambulance Service urge people to take the extreme heat seriously.
The University of Worcester's Dr Jessica Mee, who is a UK research and innovation (UKRI) future leaders fellow in heatwaves and human health, said she know through some of her research a common thing people have issues with during the heat is sleep.
"We conducted some surveys with people over the last couple of heat waves in 2024, 2025, and 84% of people report disrupted sleep, so this is a widespread issue where people are struggling to sleep in the heat," she said.
"The optimal temperature for sleep in our bedrooms would be anywhere from about 15 to 18 degrees Celsius, and on these hot days people's bedrooms will likely be above 25 and possibly into the early 30s."
On some advice for people around how they can help get to sleep, she added: "Before bed, taking a cool shower can be helpful, I think it's important not to have a cold shower or any kind of ice bath situation, it's more about that kind of temperate cool shower that just cools the skin slightly.
"People can also do really simple things like run their hands and wrists under cold water, cooling to the neck, as well as their feet and ankles in water, just to try and get the body as cool as possible.
"it's important that first thing in the morning, as soon as you wake up, windows are open, blinds are open, get the airflow through, but then the minute it starts to get hotter outside, they need to be shut."
Further information on staying safe during warm weather can be found on the West Midlands Ambulance Service website.