Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Hot summer nights can do more than leave you feeling uncomfortable. They can also make it harder to get the restorative sleep your body needs.
As temperatures rise and extreme heat events become more common, Dr. Molly Billings say disrupted sleep is becoming an increasingly important public health concern, especially for people without access to air conditioning or those living in neighborhoods that experience higher temperatures.
“Sleep is important for overall health. It's sort of vital for life,” Billings said. “It's part of the healing of the brain and you can get rid of toxins during sleep to help clear out things.”
Heat keeps the body from cooling naturally during the night, making it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Longer daylight hours, evening exercise and excess light exposure can also make it harder to wind down before bed.
“Do the best you can to keep your sleeping space cool, close the blinds, open them at night if it's cool, use fans, which can also protect you from noise,” Billings said.
Hot summer nights can do more than leave you feeling uncomfortable. They can also make it harder to get the restorative sleep your body needs.
As temperatures rise and extreme heat events become more common, Dr. Molly Billings say disrupted sleep is becoming an increasingly important public health concern, especially for people without access to air conditioning or those living in neighborhoods that experience higher temperatures.
“Sleep is important for overall health. It's sort of vital for life,” Billings said. “It's part of the healing of the brain and you can get rid of toxins during sleep to help clear out things.”
Heat keeps the body from cooling naturally during the night, making it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Longer daylight hours, evening exercise and excess light exposure can also make it harder to wind down before bed.
“Do the best you can to keep your sleeping space cool, close the blinds, open them at night if it's cool, use fans, which can also protect you from noise,” Billings said.
