Rainy season tips for better rest in Japan

If you're finding yourself waking up tired during the rainy season, it might not just be the gloomy weather. A new survey suggests that the way many people try to stay cool at night could actually be making their sleep worse.

The study found that more than half of respondents struggle to fall asleep during the rainy season, while 53% reported feeling fatigued and 43% said they wake up because of the heat. To cope, many rely on air conditioners, dehumidifiers, or fans, but these solutions can create a different problem of getting too cold while sleeping.

In fact, around 80% of those surveyed said they frequently or sometimes experience issues such as feeling cold or having swollen hands and feet during the night. Doctors participating in the survey also overwhelmingly agreed that excessive air conditioning can negatively affect sleep quality and make it harder to recover from fatigue.

Rather than simply turning the temperature down, experts suggest aiming for a bedroom temperature of around 23 to 26 degrees Celsius. They also recommend choosing sleepwear that balances breathability with warmth instead of just wearing a T-shirt and shorts.