Updated 16:52 22 May 2026 GMT+1Published 16:42 22 May 2026 GMT+1

Sleep therapist warns sleeping naked or on top of your duvet in a heatwave makes you hotter

Think twice before taking your kit off tonight

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Danielle Fowler

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/FreshSplash

Topics: Women's Health, Sleep

Danielle Fowler

Danielle Fowler is the Affiliates Writer at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, Tyla, GAMINGbible, SPORTbible and UNILAD. She covers the latest trends in fashion and beauty, writes about standout gadgets, and reviews the must-have products everyone's talking about.

A heatwave is on its way, with temperatures expected to hit a record-breaking 33C in some parts of the UK.

And while many of us will make a beeline for the nearest beer garden, it won't be long before Brits are complaining that it's too hot to sleep.

But you might want to think twice before whipping your clothes off.

Natalie Pennicotte-Collier, sleep therapist at MattressNextDay, has warned that sleeping naked in a heatwave can actually make you hotter.

"Removing or sleeping on top of your duvet may feel like a logical decision in a heatwave, but the problem is when you replace it with nothing," Natalie explains.

A sleep expert has warned against sleeping naked this weekend (Getty Images/eternalcreative)

"Sleeping naked feels logical, but without breathable natural fibre bedding to wick sweat away, moisture simply sits on the skin and creates a clammy humid ‘microclimate’ that is more likely to wake you up in the middle of the night."

She explains that body heat and sweat build up during the night. This is usually absorbed and released through breathable bedding.

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But if you're laying naked on top of the sheets, the sweat has nowhere to escape, and it can make you feel even hotter.

So, how can you make sure to get some decent shut-eye this weekend? Find out more below.

How to fall asleep during a heatwave

If you're already dreading getting to sleep in the sticky heat tonight, listen up.

For those of you who like to sleep in the nude, Natalie recommends upgrading your bedding to include breathable fabrics that will help heat and moisture to escape.

"Lightweight natural fibres like cotton and linen allow airflow around the body, while also absorbing sweat and helping heat escape gradually overnight," she explains. "They are far more effective than thick synthetic bedding during hot weather."

She also recommends using a cooling mattress topper or pillows to reduce heat retention around the places people overheat the most such as the back, neck and shoulders.

Other heatwave-proof options include using blackout curtains, turning the fan on for a couple of hours before bed or investing in a cooling face mask.

You can shop our top pick of cooling products below, from towels and fans to bedding.