As the UK braces for another scorching heatwave, a simple 10-minute morning routine could help you sleep better on even the stickiest summer nights. Travel reporter Vita Molyneux shares her tried-and-tested method that leaves her bed feeling fresher, cooler, and more inviting.
The Morning Habit That Transforms Nighttime Comfort
The routine begins the moment the alarm goes off. Molyneux flings back all the bedcovers and opens a window wide. This allows the mattress and bedding to breathe after a hot, sticky night. Since her bedroom catches good morning sunlight, the linen also gets a welcome airing.
She leaves the covers thrown back while brushing her teeth, washing her face, and brewing coffee. By the time she returns to the bedroom, roughly 10 minutes have elapsed, allowing the bed to air out properly.
Adding Lavender for a Soothing Sanctuary
Once the bed has been aired, Molyneux adds a few drops of pure lavender essential oil to the bottom sheet and pillows. This leaves the bedding with a wonderfully soothing fragrance that makes the entire room smell divine.
She advises those new to this practice to start with a specially formulated pillow spray containing lavender, as undiluted lavender oil may cause skin or eye irritation if not accustomed to it.
A Lifelong Remedy for Summer Nights
Molyneux has relied on this remedy since childhood to help her unwind. Applying lavender oil to her bedsheets transforms her bed into a soothing sanctuary during the height of a sweltering London summer.
While she also uses a fan and sometimes takes a frozen water bottle to bed, this early morning routine is a trick she swears by for nodding off when temperatures soar and nights are restless.
