A new study has found, and now we know what temperature is considered just right. According to the Washington Post, new research revealed that seniors experienced optimal sleep when temperatures fell within 70 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The study, led by Amir Baniassadi at Harvard Medical School and the Marcus Institute for Aging Research, tracked 50 participants ages 65 and up in the Boston area over 12 months. We selected older adults because they typically experience poor sleep more than younger populations, Baniassadi said. Their physiology is more sensitive to temperature changes, and they suffer the most in heat waves.
The researchers installed sensors in the participants’ bedrooms to track nightly temperatures and provided them with special finger rings to monitor sleep patterns. Restful sleep dropped as indoor temperatures exceeded 77 degrees or fell below 68 degrees, and there was a notable 5 to 10% reduction in sleep efficiency when indoor temperatures rose from 77 to 86 degrees. Higher temperatures disrupt the body’s natural cooling process, making it harder to fall asleep. The researchers noted how this can impact our health on a warming planet
