Research shows that climate change is already affecting our sleep and – if we don’t act – could cost us tens of hours of sleep per year by 2100.

Do you also have such trouble falling asleep during warm and clammy nights? That is not so strange. Researchers have shown in a new study that high temperatures significantly affect our sleep. That is not so good news with a view to the future. Because due to climate change there are still many scorching hot nights ahead, with all the consequences that entails.

Climate change

Climate change may feel like a far-from-my-bed show for some. The result of melting glaciers or rising sea levels does not directly affect your daily life. But a new study now proves otherwise. Because of climate change, as you know, it is getting warmer outside. And these rising temperatures are having a pretty negative impact on your sleep.

Study

In the study, the researchers analyzed sleep data from more than 47,000 adults from 68 different countries across all continents. And the analysis shows that during extremely warm nights (when the mercury rises above 30 degrees Celsius) the subjects slept an average of 14 minutes less. In addition, the chances of getting the recommended seven hours of sleep per night also decrease as the temperature increases.

The added value of a good night’s sleep
Sleep is very important for many physical and cognitive functions. For example, cardiovascular health, the immune system, metabolism, memory, and emotion regulation are affected by sleep. The risk of Alzheimer’s disease or cancer is also associated with sleep quality. For better health and emotional well-being, people should consistently get enough sleep. This means 7 hours of sleep per night for most healthy people.

With their study, the researchers provide the first evidence on a global scale that temperatures that are higher than normal disrupt human sleep. “This is partly because people take longer to fall asleep and partly because they wake up earlier during warm nights,” explains researcher Kelton Minor.

Human body

The team also thinks it can explain this. Our body temperature is regulated by a control center in the brain that usually keeps the temperature stable around 37 degrees Celsius. “Still, something remarkable happens every night,” Minor says. “Our bodies – without us realizing it – give off heat to the environment at night. This happens because our blood vessels widen and blood flow to our hands and feet is increased. However, in order for our body to transfer that heat, the environment must be cooler than ourselves.”

night’s rest

All in all, the researchers show that warmer weather and higher temperatures can seriously disrupt our sleep. “Throughout seasons, demographics and different climate contexts, our study shows that warmer outdoor temperatures consistently disrupt sleep, with the amount of sleep loss gradually increasing as temperatures get higher,” concludes Minor. And that’s not really good news given global warming. The researchers therefore predict that if climate change is not sufficiently mitigated by the end of this century, it could cost us as much as 50 to 58 hours of sleep per year. And this could have major implications for human health and productivity, they warn.

developing countries

Moreover, the worst affected are people in developing countries. For example, the study shows that they suffer most from disturbed sleep due to warmer weather. One explanation for this may be the use of air conditioning units in developed countries. In future studies, the researchers want to further investigate the impact of rising temperatures on the sleep of people in warmer climates who do not have access to air conditioning.

With their study, the researchers show how disastrous exceptionally high temperatures, which will become more frequent due to global warming, can be for our bodies. Incidentally, it has been known for some time that on hot days the number of deaths and hospital admissions is much higher and that we function less well under a blazing sun. But now it turns out that the effects of climate change also reached our bedrooms. So get the fan out of the closet. Good night.