There is nothing like a good night's sleep to ensure you wake keen to face the new day. But sometimes sleep is impossible or having slept heavily, you wake feeling hot and sweaty. Is it just that it is too warm because you inadvertently fell asleep with your electric blanket on high or are you suffering from night sweats?

Night sweats, affecting both children and adults alike, are usually not grounds for concern merely a sign that your body's natural thermostat isn't working perfectly. Hormones, medication, and even certain food and drinks are all common causes of night sweats. Generally the resultant broken sleep is exhausting but the condition is harmless, however if you suddenly experience excessive perspiration at night it should be checked with your doctor.

Night sweats may be a result of a range of medical conditions including infection, diabetes or hormone conditions, menopause or age, especially in children as their temperature regulation systems are not fully developed. Various medications may increase night time perspiration, as may your memory foam mattress or synthetic bed covers. It may just be that you are a warm sleeper. Whatever the cause, there are a few simple steps to take to alleviate the disruption to your sleep.

Cooling your room by opening a window or turning on a fan may be the first step to minimising your discomfort. When choosing your sleep attire, natural fibres such as cotton, linen, bamboo and wool are absorbent and allow your skin to breathe. Likewise, these fibres are fabulous choices for bedding. Cotton can absorb up to 10% of its weight in moisture and wool up to 30%. Wool is also able to wick any absorbed moisture away from the skin, enabling it to easily evaporate into the air, keeping you cool and dry throughout the night.

So if you've had it with night sweats and interrupted sleep, consider the benefits, the luxury and the comfort of natural fibres for your bed.

Source: thewoolroom.com