Why Cool Rooms Help

Falling asleep isn't only about the clock — it's also about heat. To drift off, your body has to let its core temperature drop by a degree or two, releasing the day's warmth through your hands and feet.

That's why a cool, dark bedroom makes sleep come easier, and a stuffy one keeps you tossing. A warm bath before bed works by the same trick: it pulls blood to the skin so your core cools faster afterward, nudging you toward sleep.