A new study from Griffith University in Australia has found that keeping the bedroom temperature at 24°C (75°F) during the night can help reduce stress levels in older adults.
The research was led by Dr. Fergus O’Connor from the School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work and was published in the journal BMC Medicine.
The study focused on people aged 65 and over. It found that when bedroom temperatures were kept at 24°C overnight, these older adults were less likely to experience stress responses while sleeping. This matters because stress during sleep can affect the body’s ability to recover from daytime heat exposure.
Dr. O’Connor explained that when the body gets too warm, it naturally increases the heart rate to try to cool itself down.
The heart works harder to pump blood to the skin’s surface, which helps release heat. But if the heart has to work too hard for too long, it adds stress to the body and reduces the chance for proper recovery during sleep.
To measure these effects, the study participants wore fitness trackers on their wrists to monitor their heart rate and stress levels. At the same time, temperature sensors were placed in the bedrooms to track the exact nighttime conditions. Data was collected over an entire summer.
This is the first study to show real-world evidence of how hotter bedroom temperatures can affect heart rate and stress in older adults.
Dr. O’Connor noted that with climate change leading to more hot nights, the issue is becoming even more important. Hot nights can increase the risk of heart problems and other health issues by disturbing sleep and preventing the body from fully recovering.
Currently, there are guidelines in Australia for keeping daytime indoor temperatures below 26°C to protect health, but there are no similar rules for nighttime conditions. This study suggests that it might be time to consider such recommendations, especially for vulnerable groups like older adults.
Keeping the bedroom cooler during the night could be a simple and effective way to help older people stay healthier, sleep better, and reduce their risk of heat-related stress and illness.
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