Summer is the season for thunderstorms, no matter where in the eastern United States you live. While a rainstorm can be quite welcomed on a hot day and even pretty to watch from inside the house, there’s no denying they are hard to sleep through. The loud thunder can jolt you right out of bed! Bright lightning striking at night is enough to wake you up, too. For those with Sleep Apnea, the danger is even more severe. According to Harvard Health, those who suffer from severe Sleep Apnea are more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke during a thunderstorm because of changes in the atmospheric pressure.
While summer thunderstorms are associated with some sleep trouble, it doesn’t need to be this way. Here’s what you can do to make sure your body gets the deep sleep you need, regardless of what is going on outside.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
The most important thing to do if you regularly experience fragmented sleep whenever a thunderstorm occurs is to know in advance when one is on its way. Check up on the local weather regularly. This can easily be done by reading the local forecast in the newspaper, following the weather team on social media, or watching your local television newscast. When you know a massive storm is on its way, you can be better prepared and have everything ready.
However prepared you need to be, it’s important not to focus so much on the impending storm that you experience anxiety. Think calming thoughts and keep them off of the storm. Talk with a friend on the phone or read a book until bedtime. Anxiety is naturally the exact opposite of the calm feeling you need to fall asleep, so don’t dwell on the impending storm.
Block out Noise and Light
The two main sleep disruptors from a thunderstorm are the noise and the flashes of light. To get to sleep you will need to drown out the crashing thunder. One method is to use earplugs. You can buy these at any pharmacy in a variety of kinds, including foam, cotton, or wax. If you don’t find ear plugs comfortable enough to fall asleep, try listening to soothing music or even a white noise machine.
Next you’ll need to block out the light too. This can be done easily with blackout curtains. You may also want to try turning on a dim light or a night light. This may help because a soft light can diminish the contrast between total darkness and flashes of light from lightning. When it isn’t going from pitch black to bright, you’re less likely to startle awake. A sleep mask is a tried-and-true method to block out light when you sleep, too.
Create a Cozy Cocoon for Yourself
Find some comfortable, heavy blankets and big pillows when you know that a storm is coming and create a cozy sleep oasis. These can block out the storm mentally so you feel like you’re in a safe cocoon. If you regularly experience anxiety and sleepless nights, you may want to invest in a weighted blanket before the storm arrives. Weighted blankets have shown positive results for several conditions, including anxiety. They can help calm a restless body, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve sleep troubles- whether there is a storm outside or not.
You won’t stay cozy for long on an uncomfortable, hard, or lumpy mattress. A big part of creating the perfect sleep cocoon is your mattress. A new, high-quality mattress may be just the thing you need to settle in for the night. Particularly if you are one of the Sleep Apnea sufferers mentioned above, and an adjustable bed base can be a big help too. Raising your body up is a great way to combat Sleep Apnea, so you’re less likely to experience snoring, gasping for breath, and other symptoms associated with it.
A night of restless sleep is not something to take lightly. Sleep is necessary to keep your brain and central nervous system functioning properly, and not getting enough sleep for just one night messes this all up. Since it’s summer time, you know these storms come frequently and it won’t be just one night! Frequent sleep deprivation is linked to weight gain, mood disorders, getting sick more often, injuries and accidents, poor work performance, and much more. That is why you should do what it takes to be satisfied with your night of sleep, even if there is lightning, thunder, and heavy rain outside your window.
FAQs
The two main sleep disruptors from a thunderstorm are the noise and the flashes of light. To get to sleep you will need to drown out the crashing thunder. One method is to use earplugs. You can buy these at any pharmacy in a variety of kinds, including foam, cotton, or wax.
Do thunderstorms affect your sleep? ›
Gentle rainfall provides a calming, white noise effect at night, a primary reason why rain can make you sleepy. However, noisier storms can wake you up or make it harder to fall asleep. Thunderstorms and bad weather can also create plenty of anxiety as well.
Where is the best place to sleep during a thunderstorm? ›
When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up. Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.
Why can't I sleep at night in summer? ›
Warmer Temperatures
The warmer weather that often accompanies summer also can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Your body naturally cools down as it is preparing for slumber, but if your home or your room is too warm, it is likely you will get less sleep, said Dr. Wu.
How can I stop waking up early in summer? ›
You can start with the following tips.
- Keep a consistent schedule. ...
- Decrease your exposure to light during the day. ...
- Keep your nighttime temperature low. ...
- Learn how to relax. ...
- Darken your room before bed. ...
- Develop good sleep habits. ...
- Use lightweight fabrics. ...
- Try sleep hypnosis.
Identify a comfortable and fun place in the house to go to during non-emergent storms that is relaxing and positive; finding a place away from windows, and the sights and sounds of the storm is often helpful. If it's not a bedroom, consider bringing pillows, blankets and other items to make the space feel cozy.
Can thunderstorms make you feel unwell? ›
Dr. Pien says definitely. “Barometric pressure changes can affect inflammation in the nose and sinuses, and then can be experienced by individuals as pressure and/or pain.” So when those skies turn gray and the rain starts to fall, make sure you have your sinus medicine on hand just in case.
What are 5 things you should avoid doing in a lightning storm? ›
Lightning Safety Tips
- Avoid water. Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building's plumbing. ...
- Don't touch electronic equipment. ...
- Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete. ...
- Don't use corded phones.
During a thunderstorm, avoid open vehicles such as convertibles, motorcycles, and golf carts. Be sure to avoid open structures such as porches, gazebos, baseball dugouts, and sports arenas. And stay away from open spaces such as golf courses, parks, playgrounds, ponds, lakes, swimming pools, and beaches.
Am I safe in my bed during a thunderstorm? ›
Current from a lightning strike is not likely to hit your bed because the bed's not grounded.
10 tips for sleeping in the heat
- Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water during the day can help your body better regulate your temperature at night.
- Eat light. ...
- Dress lightly. ...
- Look for chances to cool the bedroom. ...
- Avoid alcohol. ...
- Set aside time to relax. ...
- Shower in tepid water. ...
- Find the coolest place to sleep.
Place cool, wet cloths on yourself or gel pads on your bed
Putting a cool, wet towel on your forehead is a simple way to help you feel more comfortable and speed up heat loss. Or buy cooling gel pads and put them in the refrigerator before bed.
How can I get good sleep in summer? ›
- Keep the Blinds Closed During the Day. ...
- Avoid Vigorous Exercise, Heavy Meals, and Lots of Alcohol 4 Hours Before Bed. ...
- Use a Dehumidifier and a Fan. ...
- Shower Before Tucking Yourself In. ...
- Go Ahead, Sleep Naked. ...
- Try a Cooling Mattress. ...
- Choose Other Cooling Sleep Accessories.
You might wake up frequently throughout the night or, like many of our readers, find yourself wide awake at 3am. It can be caused by a range of factors, including stress, medical conditions, or slipping into habits that could interrupt your sleep like too many coffees during the day or too much screen time before bed.
Why do I always wake up at 3am to pee? ›
Nocturia is waking up more than once during the night because you have to pee. Causes can include drinking too much fluid, sleep disorders and bladder obstruction. Treatments for nocturia include restricting fluids and medications that reduce symptoms of overactive bladder.
What hormone wakes you up at 3am? ›
Cortisol's Natural Rhythm: Our bodies follow a natural circadian rhythm for cortisol, with levels peaking in the early morning (around 3am) to promote alertness upon waking. As the day unfolds, cortisol levels should gradually diminish, reaching their low point at night.
Why are thunderstorms more intense at night? ›
Thunderstorms get their energy from warm, moist air in the lowest part of the atmosphere. As a result, strong, long-lived thunderstorms are most common in the late afternoon and early evening. Temperatures usually drop after sunset, making the atmosphere more stable and thunderstorms less likely.
Why are thunderstorms worse at night? ›
It is during the evening when the earth's surface is at its hottest after hours of direct exposure to the sun's rays. By the early evening, the warm ground begins radiating energy, producing hot air which expands and rises upwards into the atmosphere.
What are the negative effects of thunderstorms? ›
Despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can lead to flash flooding. Strong winds, hail, and tornadoes are also dangers associated with some thunderstorms.
