You’ve likely heard that it’s best for your circadian rhythm and sleep to keep your room cold at night, but as winter approaches and temperatures start to drop, this advice gets harder and harder to follow.
Personally, there’s nothing I love more than curling up at night with all of my coziest and heaviest blankets, only to kick them off while I sleep because they get too warm.
Recently, some celebrities have been sharing how they actually prefer to sleep with a heating pad to keep themselves warm at night. This sleep habit seems to fly in the face of what experts typically recommend when it comes to sleep: sleeping at a cool temperature helps your body recognize that it is indeed time to go to bed, and getting too hot during your sleep can wake you up and disrupt your beauty rest.
You might be reading these celebrities’ takes on sleeping with a heating pad and wondering whether or not this sleep hack is one that you can apply to your own day-to-day, or night-to-night, sleep routine. We checked in with Sleepopolis director of sleep health, Dr. Shelby Harris, to see how sleeping with a heating pad will really affect your sleep.
Read on to find out why these celebrities enjoy sleeping with a heating pad and what Dr. Harris has to say about the matter.
Why Do These Celebrities Like To Sleep With A Heating Pad?
In Molly Sims’ interview with Parade Magazine, the model raves about sleeping with a heating pad, saying that, “you can’t beat a heating pad” and that, “Every now and then a heating pad can really go a long way.” (1)
Additionally, Nicola Peltz Beckham shared that she turns to a heating pad when staying at her in-laws’ home. The actress and influencer told the Strategist that, “My in-laws keep their house so cold. Anytime I know I’m staying there, this is a must because I cannot sleep at that temperature. I feel like I’m sleeping in a freezer.” Nicola added that her husband also prefers a cold bedroom, and that she even brings her heating pad with her on planes. (2)
The MirrorUS also reports that singer and businesswoman Selena Gomez has shared on Instagram that she also enjoys sleeping with a heating pad, saying that, “It’s almost like an anxiety blanket. It feels really nice.” (3)
At the end of the day, it seems like all of these celebrities really love the cozy and ultra-warm vibe that a heating pad can bring to your bed at night. But is sleeping with a heating pad really a good idea?
Can I Safely Sleep With A Heating Pad?
Generally, yes. Although experts generally recommend keeping your bedroom cool, everyone is different and it really comes down to personal preference. But overall, it’s not necessarily harmful, according to Dr. Harris.
However, she did give one word of caution: “You need to be mindful of how your body responds. If you’re overheating, it can interfere with your sleep cycles and disrupt the natural cooling process your body relies on during rest.” (4) And when that happens, you may find yourself tossing and turning, unable to get a good night’s rest.
But even experts sometimes throw out the rulebook: “It’s about finding what works for you – whether that’s a warmer room, a specific pillow, or even a heating pad – while still being mindful of sleep health tips,” Dr. Harris says. “A sleep environment that makes you feel relaxed and ready to fall asleep can sometimes be more effective than following every guideline strictly.” (4)
So, when it comes to sleeping with a heating pad the best way to approach it is in moderation. If you feel yourself getting too hot during the night, the best practice is to either turn the heat down or remove the heating pad altogether. If you’re consistently too cold at night, then you should consult your doctor to talk about next steps.
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Sources
- Vargas, Alani. The One Sleep Hack for Women Over 50 That ‘Can Really Go a Long Way,’ According to Molly Sims. Parade. November 21, 2024. https://parade.com/living/sleep-hacks-for-women-over-50-according-to-molly-sims
- Avila, Arielle. What Nicola Peltz Beckham Can’t Live Without. The Strategist. February 16, 2024. https://nymag.com/strategist/article/nicola-peltz-beckham-9-favorite-things.html
- Beale, Holly, McFadden, Brendan. Selena Gomez and Molly Sims’ sleep hack to ‘send you into deep slumber’. The MirrorUS. December 3, 2024. https://www.themirror.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/selena-gomez-molly-sims-sleeping-839770
- Harris, Shelby. Personal Interview. December 3, 2024.
