The key to getting a good night's sleep during the heatwave could be taking a hot water bottle to bed with you... yes really. 

As Britain swelters through the hottest June since the infamous scorching summer of 1976, people are finding that come bedtime, they're as sweaty and uncomfortable as they were during the day. 

It's not just the weather causing sleepless nights - part of the issue is how Britain's homes have historically been built. 

Dr Ben Roberts, senior lecturer in healthy buildings at Loughborough University, previously told the Daily Mail: 'Traditionally we've been quite a cold country so we've been looking at keeping our houses warm in winter. 

'It's only since 2022 that we've had building regulations which have started to look at keeping our homes cool in summer. So, we've got a bit of catching up to do.

'We see thousands of excess summer deaths, and those are deaths that wouldn't have ordinarily happened had it not been for some kind of heatwave event. 

'It is affecting people's health and wellbeing, and at worst it's killing people.'

While it's impossible to fix decades of structural decisions that have ensured our modern homes veer into oven territory once it gets abnormally hot, there are ways to bear it... read on to find out more.

Shut your windows during the day

It may sound counterintuitive, but throwing your windows open during the day could make your bedroom hotter – not cooler.

On sweltering days, experts advise keeping windows shut while the outdoor temperature is higher than inside. Drawing the curtains or blinds can also help block out direct sunlight and stop the room from heating up.

Then, once the temperature drops in the evening, open the windows to let cooler air circulate before bed.

Don't rely on a fan alone

Fans can help make a hot bedroom feel more bearable, but they are not a perfect fix.

If they are not cleaned regularly, they can blow dust and allergens around the room, which may irritate the eyes, nose and throat.

Prolonged use can also leave skin, eyes and nasal passages feeling dry. For best results, keep the fan clean, avoid blasting it directly at your face all night and consider pairing it with other cooling measures.

One popular hack is placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan to circulate chilled air through the room. 

Put your hot water bottle in the freezer

Hot water bottles are usually associated with freezing winter nights – but they can also be useful in a heatwave.

Instead of filling one with hot water, try partially filling it with cold water and placing it in the freezer before bed.

Wrapped in a towel or pillowcase, it can work as a cooling pack to help take the edge off a sticky night.

Try a cold flannel before bed

A simple cold compress can also help when the heat feels unbearable.

Run a flannel under a cold tap, wring it out and place it on your forehead, neck or wrists as you try to fall asleep.

These are pulse points where blood vessels sit closer to the skin, so cooling them can help you feel more comfortable. It may also soothe heat-related headaches or the tension that comes from a poor night's sleep.

Ditch the heavy duvet

When temperatures soar, resist the urge to curl up under thick bedding.

Spreading out in a 'starfish' position can help air move around the body and allow heat to escape.

Sleeping on your side may also help, as it exposes more of the chest and back to the air – two areas where people often feel hottest at night.

While some people prefer sleeping with no cover at all, a lightweight cotton sheet or summer duvet may be more comfortable, as it can help absorb sweat without trapping too much heat. 

Cotton nightwear and bedding are usually the best options in hot weather because they are breathable.

Have a warm shower – not an ice-cold one

A cold shower might seem like the obvious choice before bed, but a warm shower may actually be more effective.

Warm water raises the temperature of the skin, encouraging blood flow to the surface. When you step out, the body can then lose heat more easily as the water evaporates.

The result may be a gradual cooling effect that helps prepare the body for sleep.

Cool your feet

It may sound odd, but putting a pair of socks in the fridge could help on a very hot night.

Cooling the feet can help lower overall body temperature, as the feet play a role in heat loss.

Try chilling a clean pair of lightweight cotton socks before bed, then slipping them on for a short time as you settle down. Alternatively, placing your feet on a cool towel can have a similar effect.