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The 1/8th Sleep

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Re: The 1/8th Sleep

#3
A cooler mattress is better to sleep on? That sounds like the opposite of my experience, unless the weather is uncomfortably warm and there’s no air con.

Re: The 1/8th Sleep

#4
I was just about to buy almost this exact setup! Excellent to see it's effective. I thought I was mad looking into fish tank coolers. I was thinking though skipping the evaporative cooler and going with a compressor model. Quite a bit more expensive but I think it'll be more effective in the humid North East.

I have realized over the years that I need to be seriously cold to sleep well. My health watch always registers a great sleep and recharged "body battery" when I've been almost shivering all night. My partner likes to joke that my body needs "suffering to get fully rested".

These days, I only ever have nightmares when I'm too hot. It's a challenge to stay cool enough to not get them.

I did recently switch mattresses to this Airweave Futon: https://airweave.com/products/futon

It's an amazing product, it helps keep me cool, and is nice and firm, which I need to have a restful sleep without back pain. By far my favorite mattress I've ever used.

The Airweave has reduced my hot nights significantly, and I'm thinking if I can put a cool pad underneath it, I'll be set!

I'm going to have to try this DIY project for sure now!

Re: The 1/8th Sleep

#5
post #3

A cooler mattress is better to sleep on? That sounds like the opposite of my experience, unless the weather is uncomfortably warm and there’s no air con.

In my experience, I might like a cool bed if I was hot in the evening (say, I was physically active). Otherwise, I prefer a cool room with a nice blanket.

Re: The 1/8th Sleep

#6

I was just about to buy almost this exact setup! Excellent to see it's effective. I thought I was mad looking into fish tank coolers. I was thinking though skipping the evaporative cooler and going with a compressor model. Quite a bit more expensive but I think it'll be more effective in the humid North East. I have realized over the years that I need to be seriously cold to sleep well. My health watch always registe…

A reviewer on reddit complained that the airweave wore out after a year, which is disappointing given the price. How long have you had it?

Re: The 1/8th Sleep

#7

I was just about to buy almost this exact setup! Excellent to see it's effective. I thought I was mad looking into fish tank coolers. I was thinking though skipping the evaporative cooler and going with a compressor model. Quite a bit more expensive but I think it'll be more effective in the humid North East. I have realized over the years that I need to be seriously cold to sleep well. My health watch always registe…

> Compressor

I would think these would be too loud for a comfortable sleep environment.

Re: The 1/8th Sleep

#8

I was just about to buy almost this exact setup! Excellent to see it's effective. I thought I was mad looking into fish tank coolers. I was thinking though skipping the evaporative cooler and going with a compressor model. Quite a bit more expensive but I think it'll be more effective in the humid North East. I have realized over the years that I need to be seriously cold to sleep well. My health watch always registe…

> Compressor I would think these would be too loud for a comfortable sleep environment.

You could put a small compressor outside and connect a well-insulated hose to pump the refrigerant inside, just like a split system air conditioner. Then the noise in your bedroom will be no worse than the occasional hum of a fridge in the other room.

As someone who lives in a humid climate, I wouldn't even think of using an evaporative cooler anywhere in my home, for any purpose, period. It's either compressors or nothing.

Re: The 1/8th Sleep

#9
post #3

A cooler mattress is better to sleep on? That sounds like the opposite of my experience, unless the weather is uncomfortably warm and there’s no air con.

A lot of research seems to suggest that cold (something like 62F-68F) is indeed better for sleep. It makes sense if you think about it "evolutionarily" or whatever. Basically, your body feels warmth and it assumes the sun is what's heating you up, so suppresses sleep hormones and promotes wakefulness.

Anecdotally seems true for me, but I also have poor circulation to my extremities so I just suffer one way or the other.

Re: The 1/8th Sleep

#10
Your bed needs to be breathable. That's the single most important thing. A cool bed without proper ventilation will attract condensation and mold, and make you feel damp.

A good spring mattress sitting on top of slats will never get uncomfortably hot or cold in any particular spot, because air moves freely in and out, powered by your own body movements.

The mattress should also be as firm as you can tolerate. A firm mattress leaves breathable space between some parts of your body and the surface of the bed, instead of allowing your body to sink into the foam and become insulated on all sides. Again, airflow is key. Regardless of what heating or cooling solution you have, airflow will multiply its effect.

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