4 hacks for better sleep during UK heatwave as lost productivity costs £5bn

The UK's scorching temperatures are not just causing discomfort but also hitting the economy hard, with heatwaves costing a whopping £5.98bn each year, largely due to sleep disruption. A study by BOXT reveals that a mere 5 percent of British homes are designed to handle the current sweltering conditions, leading over a third of Britons to lose up to two hours of sleep nightly during these periods.

Worryingly for UK employers, this decrease in sleep quality is impacting productivity levels, with the average adult losing nearly 14 hours of effective work time during heatwaves. In addition, over half of UK workers have either phoned in sick, arrived late for work or cancelled social plans due to the weather.

Overheated Brits are also feeling the pinch financially. More than half of respondents are shelling out £150 on iced drinks and portable fans to keep cool, while a shocking 28 percent confessed to spending £300 on the same items.

Adam Knight, lead engineer at BOXT, commented, "We've long focused on keeping heat in but with hotter summers becoming the norm, good insulation is just as important for keeping our homes cool."

He added, "We're seeing more hot, humid nights in the UK but our homes aren't built for it. That's why we're tossing and turning, spending money on gadgets and still waking up exhausted."

Despite the widespread struggle against the heat, only 5 percent of Brits have installed permanent air-conditioning units, with 14 percent still considering such an amenity a foreign 'luxury'.

However, it might not be as costly as they believe. According to BOXT, you could have a unit fitted with flexible finance options starting at just £30.67 a month with no deposit required.

Those willing to fork out the cash upfront could acquire an air-conditioning unit for £2,199.

Adam continued: "Most people assume air conditioning is expensive or only for luxury homes – but it's more affordable than you may think.

"Unlike fans or gadgets that just circulate air, proper AC cools the whole room, not just the space directly in front of you."

To help struggling Brits get through their workday when temperatures rise, sleep expert and psychologist Hope Bastine has shared her top advice on how to get a good night’s sleep.

Go for natural linen or eucalyptus fibre sheets – they wick away moisture, dry quickly and help air flow. To stay cool without soaking your bed, focus on smaller items.

Stick to freezing just your pillowcase or a light throw, not the whole bedding set. Pop them in a plastic bag and freeze for 15 minutes before bed.

Cuddling partners and pets can be comforting but not in a heatwave – so try to sleep solo if possible. Body heat is your worst enemy on hot nights. Even one extra person in bed can raise the temp by a few degrees.

Instead, Hope recommends having a lukewarm shower 90 minutes before bed, which helps kickstart your body’s cooling process and helps wind you down.

Iced coffees might feel like a heatwave treat but caffeine is a diuretic and contributes to dehydration, one of the top causes of disturbed sleep. It also raises your body temperature, which is what you want to avoid.