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Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

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Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#141

Post by VLM »

maruhan2 wrote: post #48
jacobolus wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dunno about crawly things, but mosquitos definitely first go for body parts not covered by sheets.

which is pretty ineffective since mosquitos are quite good at finding the body part that's uncovered. If you sleep like a cocoon and don't move i guess that works.

Point the fan at the uncovered part. Mosquitos tend to dislike fan airflow. Also works outdoors. The airflow also triggers your pressure sensors so spontaneous firing isn't an startling issue if the fan breeze hits something other than your head.

Obviously for use in the hot summer; also if you sleep with a fan pointed at you in Korea, you'll catch fan death and die. Cultural myths about fan death is an interesting sleep related topic. With respect to nature vs nurture, different cultures certainly do weird things such as fan death related to sleep but the vast majority cross culturally like blankets; that would imply blankets could be genetic in some weird way not merely cultural.

Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#142

Post by zamber »

overcast wrote: post #96

It's a weight thing for me, and not a warmth thing. I crave the feeling of something on me when I'm sleeping. Probably a sense of security. I've been on the eternal hunt for something heavy weight, and low heat. Currently using 3 x varying weights of knit cotton blankets, and does the job.

I recall hearing about weighted blankets used as a way to help kids with sleeping issues.

Quote from the article:

As one more example of the goodness of blankets, there has also been a decent amount of research about the calming effect of weighted blankets, which can weigh up to 30 pounds. Studies indicate that they can curb anxiety and even be used in the treatment of autism.

This triggered my memory. I heard it helped kids with Aspargers and ADHD too.

Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#143

Post by bmelton »

overcast wrote: post #96

It's a weight thing for me, and not a warmth thing. I crave the feeling of something on me when I'm sleeping. Probably a sense of security. I've been on the eternal hunt for something heavy weight, and low heat. Currently using 3 x varying weights of knit cotton blankets, and does the job.

Conversely, I prefer the lightest-weight covering possible, but I inexplicably still need something to cover me. In the summer time, I like a lightweight sheet, and will stick with that deep into the fall.

Even if temperatures do drop overnight, I like that the sheet somewhat contains my own body heat and is relatively warm inside the sheet.

Of course, in the winter time I'll upgrade to a blanket, but I try to stick to the lightest possible one.

Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#144

Post by slothtrop »

barsonme wrote: post #4

I guess I'm one of those weirdos that doesn't. I get hot really easily, so unless the sheets are really light cotton, I roast. Oddly enough, though, I love heated mattress pads. I can crank it up to 10 and sleep without sheets just fine. Something relevant: does anybody have suggestions for weighted blankets? My SO is into big, heavy comforters and other bed coverings (no idea what they're called) and she'd probably…

I`m a hot sleeper as well, but you'll find that ambient temperature has a profound impact. I actually sleep more soundly with a sheet + (very) light comforter at about 17 degrees celsius or lower, having read that cool temperatures such as those are best conducive to quality sleep.. this is only true with adequate bedding, though that detail is often omitted.

In the summer, without AC, I can only sleep with a single sheet barely covering me. But the quality of sleep is noticeably lacking unless I'm particularly lucky. This is because, in environments that aren't super-well climatized like modern high-rise condos, temperature may swing and fluctuate a lot, so reaching thermoneutrality (the correct amount of covering on you) can be difficult, particularly with just a sheet in my experience.

Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#145

Post by slothtrop »

Accacin wrote: post #59
5_minutes wrote: post #3

It’s an interesting question, and could have imagined people sharing their beds with pets, but with livestock? Is funny. I personally have sleeping problems in rooms that are too warm, and warm blankets don't help. It's not when going to bed but a few hours in - around REM time? I wake up panicking as if I'm suffocating. That's why I always sleep with the window open, also when it freezes on the winter. My SO is not…

I love having a nice thick blanket, and a cold bedroom. If I get warm I stick my leg out :D

That trick never works for me. Fortunately I have a balcony door nearby and just cool down the room some more if I need to.

Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#146

Post by DoreenMichele »

justacat wrote: post #107
DoreenMichele wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I sleep without a pillow and have for years. It can be done.

I'm in a pillow dilemma right now and have been wondering about this in the back of my mind for weeks - what position do you sleep in?

I sleep on my side with my head on my arm.

Before going pillowless, I had a buckwheat pillow. It is less cushy and fluffy than standard Western pillows. I believe they are typical in Japan and not hard to find these days. It helped wean me off the giant fluffy Western pillows.

I have respiratory problems. I sleep better without breathing in allergens and dust mites and god knows what from a pillow. Though it did take a bit of time to get used to doing it differently from how I had my whole life.

Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#147

Post by slothtrop »

ajobaccount2017 wrote: post #77

The amount of coverage that you need may vary. Experiment and you can find the combination that will help you both fall asleep and stay ventilated during the hot nights. I figured out I just need 3 areas to cover to feel really comfy: - feet (socks are enough) - lower back - my face around the eyes

For hot sleepers, this can be immensely difficult to get right. I struggled with insomnia for months in part due to the fact that temperature fluctuated as the convecs heater sucks. Best results were to keep the room cool enough that I could sleep with a sheet and light comforter. Having the comforter "partially" covering when I felt hot doesn't work. Layering sheets doesn't work either, as by the time you've piled enough, it traps too much heat which doesn't escape.

I tell you, it's all such a head ache.

Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#148

Post by VLM »

mhb wrote: post #93
mrfusion wrote: post #82

Offshoot question that’s always bothered me. How did ancient humans sleep before pillows? I can’t image finding a comfortable sleeping position on a bare floor with no pillow. But other animals like dogs seem fine.

A pillow could be a pile of softish branches with leaves.

When I camp I have to put my backpack somewhere, may as well be under my head. "naked and alone" TV show is not terribly historically accurate, surely humanoids have always a bag of something or a rolled up something to rest their head on. Alternately my wife can sleep on my arm and with some work to get my arm position right the blood flow is not cut off; theoretically a household of humanoids could sleep in a line, with the unfortunate one on the end being one of those back sleepers. Interesting bonus is if someone wakes up from hearing a tiger approach statistically half the tribe is awakened automatically for free, silently. Interesting problem is one member wants to roll over or use the bathroom at night and everyone is unhappy.

Re: Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

#149

Post by slothtrop »

wiradikusuma wrote: post #95

I'm the opposite -- maybe because I'm Asian in Asian country. I would rather sleep without aircond and no blanket. I don't understand why people set the room as cold as possible but sleep with the thickest blanket they can find.

It's reliable. Studies have shown cooler temperatures yield better results. Thermoneutrality when completely naked though is close to 30 degrees Celsius, so in a consistently hot climate it would make sense to have barely anything on you.
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