Cool Sleep Science and Smart Layering | Generated by AI
You’re absolutely right that cooler temperatures promote better sleep! Here’s why:
The science behind it:
Your body temperature naturally drops as you fall asleep - this is part of your circadian rhythm. A cooler room (around 15-19°C or 60-67°F) helps facilitate this natural temperature drop, making it easier to fall asleep and stay in deep sleep. When it’s too warm, your body struggles to cool down, which can cause restless sleep and night sweats.
Your layering approach is smart:
What you’re doing in Guangzhou is actually ideal sleep management. By using lighter blankets when it’s 10-15°C and adjusting with layers, you’re:
- Allowing your body to regulate temperature naturally
- Preventing overheating (which Sam Altman correctly notes disrupts sleep)
- Staying flexible as temperatures change through the night
The thick blanket only being needed 5 times for those rare 3-5°C nights makes perfect sense - Guangzhou winters are relatively mild, so you don’t need heavy insulation most of the time.
Why sweating is bad for sleep:
When you sweat during sleep, it means your body is working hard to cool down, which:
- Pulls you out of deep sleep stages
- Causes frequent micro-awakenings (even if you don’t remember them)
- Leads to that uncomfortable, restless feeling
Your instinct to use lighter covers is spot-on. It’s better to layer lighter blankets that you can adjust than to use one thick blanket that might make you overheat partway through the night.