Latest news with #DrJordanBurns
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The part of your house that keeps you cool for free in a heatwave – and it's not your windows
THERE is nothing worse than struggling to sleep in a hot, humid room on a warm summer's night. The heat can often mean it can be tough to create the perfect bedroom temperature that gives us a good night's rest. 3 3 Which is why most of us are forced to fork out for a fan to avoid a restless, sweaty sleep and feeling shattered and drained the next day. But did you know that there is a part of your home that can actually cool you for free? And no, it's not the windows. A sleep expert has now revealed that the precise position of your door can make all the difference when it comes to keeping cool at bedtime in the summer. This is because, depending on how it is placed, it can significantly reduce bedroom temperatures. Which, in turn, can save you from facing an uncomfortable night's rest. Dr Jordan Burns, from Amerisleep, says the way bedroom doors are positioned affects airflow patterns within sleeping spaces. Good sleep remains possible during hot weather if you understand how to control airflow in your home Dr Jordan Burnsexpert from Amerisleep And this can either create cooling cross-ventilation or it can trap heat, depending on the angle chosen. The specialist said: "Most people focus solely on windows for cooling, but bedroom doors control how air circulates throughout your sleeping space. "A properly positioned door can make the difference between restful sleep and hours of uncomfortable tossing and turning." So, what is the perfect position to leave your door at night for a nice, cool, blissful sleep? Dr Burns has said that everyone should take a more precise approach and suggests positioning the door at a 45-degree angle. The sleep doctor explained: "The optimal angle for a bedroom door at night is approximately 45 degrees. "This specific position creates what fluid dynamics calls a 'venturi effect' that accelerates airflow through the narrower opening, pulling hot air out more efficiently than a fully open door would." But he warns that you should never leave your door completely open or fully closed if you want a cool space. Dr Burns said this is the most common mistake people make during hot weather, and it can actually leave you feeling WARMER. He added: "A completely open door actually slows down airflow in many cases because the opening is too large to create the pressure differentials that drive air movement. "Conversely, a fully closed door prevents any air exchange, trapping heat and moisture that build up while you sleep." The sleep expert suggests a simple method to test if your door positioning is working effectively for bedroom cooling. Dr Bruns advised: "Place a lightweight ribbon or tissue near the gap between the door and frame. "If it moves toward the door, you're successfully drawing air through the room. "If it remains still or moves away, adjust your window and door configuration until you achieve proper airflow. "Good sleep remains possible during hot weather if you understand how to control airflow in your home. "Door positioning is a cost-free intervention that can improve your sleeping environment. "It can also reduce both energy costs and environmental impact compared to mechanical cooling options." 3
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Experts reveal a handy tip for sleeping on hot nights – it won't cost you a thing and only takes seconds
AS the scorching weather continues across the UK, many people have been finding it difficult to sleep. And as weather experts now say the heatwave is reaching its peak, a handy hack will help make your bedroom feel more comfortable tonight. 2 Avoid another night of tossing and turning in a sweltering room with this completely free step. A sleep specialist has revealed that the position of your door can significantly affect your night's sleep. Choosing the perfect angle can help to reduce bedroom temperatures during heatwaves, helping you to sleep through the hot summer nights. Dr. Jordan Burns from AmeriSleep explained that the way bedroom doors are positioned affects airflow patterns within sleeping spaces. This creates a cooling cross-ventilation or can trap even heat, depending on the angle chosen. "Most people focus solely on windows for cooling, but bedroom doors control how air circulates throughout your sleeping space," Dr. Burns said. "A properly positioned door can make the difference between restful sleep and hours of uncomfortable tossing and turning." The expert recommended keeping bedroom doors fully open during daytime hours if the rest of the home is cooler, allowing for maximum air exchange between spaces. This approach works particularly well for rooms that receive direct sunlight. "When outside temperatures climb higher than those inside your home, keeping your bedroom door wide open allows cooler air from north-facing rooms to circulate throughout," he said. "This creates a natural current that pushes hot air up and out while drawing cooler air in from below." For night-time cooling, however, he suggested a more precise approach to door positioning. "The optimal angle for a bedroom door at night is approximately 45 degrees," Dr. Burns explained. "This specific position creates what fluid dynamics calls a 'venturi effect' that accelerates airflow through the narrower opening, pulling hot air out more efficiently than a fully open door would." The sleep specialist points out that most people make the common mistake of either leaving doors completely open or fully closed during hot weather. The best sleep routine and environment Thomas Høegh Reisenhus, TEMPUR® sleep specialist & sleep counsellor, reveals the key components of a good bedtime routine and environment... A sure-fire way to facilitate a better night's sleep is to practice good sleep hygiene. Establish a sleep routine that works for you and stick to it. This will help your body establish a consistent, natural sleep-wake cycle which can do wonders for your overall sleep quality. As such, try to avoid making up for lost sleep with a lie-in. Instead of sleeping in, spend your morning reading a book in bed or having a leisurely coffee in the kitchen. Ensure that your bedroom, bedding, and sleepwear are fit for purpose too. The ideal sleep environment is dark, quiet, and cool – much like a cave. If you find unwelcome sources of light are keeping you up, consider investing in an eye mask or black-out curtains. Adding soft furnishings can be a great way to reduce noise, with the surfaces having an absorptive quality, but if this doesn't work, consider embracing a soothing soundtrack to block it out. In terms of temperature, try to keep your bedroom at 18°C. You can further reduce the risk of waking up due to overheating by ensuring that all your bedding and sleepwear is made with natural, breathable materials such as cotton and linen. Bear in mind that everyone is different; what might work for most, may not work for you! Whilst knowing how much sleep you should get, how to overcome common barriers, and practicing good sleep hygiene can facilitate a great night's sleep, if you continue to struggle with sleep or fatigue persistently, do not hesitate to visit a doctor or health professional for support. "A completely open door actually slows down airflow in many cases because the opening is too large to create the pressure differentials that drive air movement," he said. "Conversely, a fully closed door prevents any air exchange, trapping heat and moisture that build up while you sleep." According to Dr. Burns, door positioning must work together with window management for maximum cooling effect. "If your windows and door create a straight-line path, you'll generate the strongest possible airflow through your bedroom," he said. "The ideal setup in UK homes is having your bedroom door at 45 degrees with windows open on the opposite wall, creating a direct pathway for air movement." The expert also stressed the importance of furniture placement in relation to door positioning. "Keep furniture at least 30 centimetres away from the door swing path," Dr. Burns advised. "Tall wardrobes or dressers near doors can block airflow and create stagnant air pockets where heat accumulates." 2 For flats and apartments where cross-ventilation options are limited, Dr. Burns recommends changing door positions throughout the day based on sun exposure and temperature variations. "In single-aspect flats, try keeping your bedroom door closed during the day if that room receives direct sunlight," he said. "Then open it to precisely 45 degrees at night when the rest of the flat has cooled down." He suggested a simple method to test if your door positioning is working effectively for bedroom cooling. "Place a lightweight ribbon or tissue near the gap between the door and frame," he advised. "If it moves toward the door, you're successfully drawing air through the room. "If it remains still or moves away, adjust your window and door configuration until you achieve proper airflow. "Good sleep remains possible during hot weather if you understand how to control airflow in your home. "Door positioning is a cost-free intervention that can improve your sleeping environment while reducing both energy costs and environmental impact compared to mechanical cooling options."
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The simple bedroom trick to help you sleep better during a heatwave – as doctor warns of common mistake
CREATING the perfect bedroom temperature is key for sleeping better through hot summer nights. And it can all come down to the precise position of your door, according to a sleep specialist. 2 With temperatures set to exceed 30C in some parts of the England by the weekend, many Brits will be facing an uncomfortable night's rest. But the way bedroom doors within sleeping spaces are positioned affects airflow patterns, says Dr Jordan Burns from AmeriSleep. Depending on the angle chosen, it can create cooling cross-ventilation or trap heat. "Most people focus solely on windows for cooling, but bedroom doors control how air circulates throughout your sleeping space," Dr Burns said. "A properly positioned door can make the difference between restful sleep and hours of uncomfortable tossing and turning." Dr Burns recommends keeping bedroom doors fully open during daytime hours if the rest of the home is cooler, allowing for maximum air exchange between spaces. This approach works particularly well for rooms that receive direct sunlight. "When outside temperatures climb higher than those inside your home, keeping your bedroom door wide open allows cooler air from north-facing rooms to circulate throughout," he said. "This creates a natural current that pushes hot air up and out while drawing cooler air in from below." For night-time cooling, however, he recommends a more precise approach to door positioning. Five best stretches to improve sleep "The optimal angle for a bedroom door at night is approximately 45 degrees," Dr Burns explained. "This specific position creates what fluid dynamics calls a 'venturi effect' that accelerates airflow through the narrower opening, pulling hot air out more efficiently than a fully open door would." Many people make the common mistake of either leaving doors completely open or fully closed during hot weather. But a completely open door actually slows down airflow in many cases because the opening is too large to create the pressure differentials that drive air movement, said Dr Burns. He added: "Conversely, a fully closed door prevents any air exchange, trapping heat and moisture that build up while you sleep." And door positioning must work together with window management for maximum cooling effect. "If your windows and door create a straight-line path, you'll generate the strongest possible airflow through your bedroom," Dr Burns said. "The ideal setup in UK homes is having your bedroom door at 45 degrees with windows open on the opposite wall, creating a direct pathway for air movement." Furniture placement in relation to door positioning is also important. He also advised keeping furniture at least 30cm away from the door swing path. Tall wardrobes or dressers near doors can block airflow and create stagnant air pockets where heat accumulates. For flats and apartments where cross-ventilation options are limited, Dr Burns recommends changing door positions throughout the day based on sun exposure and temperature variations. "In single-aspect flats, try keeping your bedroom door closed during the day if that room receives direct sunlight," he said. "Then open it to precisely 45 degrees at night when the rest of the flat has cooled down." Research from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government found that certain homes are particularly vulnerable to overheating, including "flats on the top floor because heat rises" and "homes with opening windows on just one side of the property, as this means there is less ventilation through the home." Dr Burns pointed out that proper door positioning can help address these exact vulnerabilities. "For top floor flats, keeping bedroom doors positioned at 45 degrees at night helps draw cooler air up from lower levels of the building," he said. "For single-aspect properties, strategically angling your bedroom door creates a secondary airflow path that compensates for the lack of cross-ventilation from windows." And the sleep expert suggests a simple method to test if your door positioning is working effectively for bedroom cooling. "Place a lightweight ribbon or tissue near the gap between the door and frame," he explained. "If it moves toward the door, you're successfully drawing air through the room. If it remains still or moves away, adjust your window and door configuration until you achieve proper airflow. "Good sleep remains possible during hot weather if you understand how to control airflow in your home. "Door positioning is a cost-free intervention that can improve your sleeping environment while reducing both energy costs and environmental impact compared to mechanical cooling options." Other ways to keep cool at night during the heat Use fans Strategically position fans to circulate air, potentially placing a tray of ice in front of it for a cooling effect. Cool down your bed Consider using a thin cotton sheet, chilling socks in the fridge, or even freezing your sheets briefly. Take a cool shower or bath Taking a lukewarm or cool shower or bath before bed can help lower your body temperature. Stay hydrated Drink plenty of water throughout the day and night, but avoid excessive amounts right before bed to prevent waking up. Wear light clothing to bed Opt for loose-fitting, breathable fabrics like cotton. Consider your sleeping position Sleeping on your side can help with heat dissipation. Avoid alcohol and caffeine These can disrupt sleep and dehydrate you, making it harder to stay cool.
