Here’s the thing: I’m a hot sleeper (*insert sexy joke here*). I’ve never been able to sleep in long sleeves or pants, and I always have the ceiling fan on, even in the middle of winter.
And yes, my anxiety usually wakes me up in the middle of the night. But getting overheated wakes me up, too. If my husband gets cold and turns off the fan, I’m instantly awake. For that matter, if my husband sleeps too close to me, I’ll get too hot and wake up (sorry, babe! ). And once I wake up, overheated and uncomfortable, I have a really hard time falling back asleep, which raises my anxiety and makes me even hotter. It’s a terrible cycle.
I wouldn’t say the ongoing coronavirus pandemic caused my middle-of-the-night anxiety attacks, but it definitely exacerbated them. Eyes flashing open at 2 a. m. , heart pumping faster than my last cardio session, sweat dripping from my pillow – yeah, it’s not pretty. One thing that’s drastically reduced my chances of having one of these episodes (and, therefore, has dramatically improved my sleep) is the Ikea Stjärnstarr Comforter Cool ($35). It’s been such a game changer in getting longer, more restful nights of sleep, and I couldn’t recommend it more.
Since I already have an Ikea duvet cover, I decided a few months ago to switch the comforter inside. I was ironically too cold when I slept with just a top sheet and too hot with a fuzzy throw blanket or my regular comforter. After one night, I slept like a (very happy) baby. It simultaneously kept me warm and cool all night long.
The filling in the Stjärnstarr comforter is made up of 10 percent viscose/rayon, designed to cool your body while you sleep. Wax-infused viscose fibers absorb your excess body heat and actually release it back once your body cools off again. I mean, it’s seriously some Harry Potter-level magic. The rest of the filling material is polyester, which helps keep it light and fluffy. You can also buy the comforter in full/queen or twin sizes.
To keep your new comforter fresh and clean, slip it inside a duvet cover. I have the Ikea Alvine Kvist Duvet Cover and Pillowcases in White/Gray ($50), but there are plenty of options to choose from in various colors, patterns, and sizes.
With its 4. 9-star average reviews on Ikea, I’m not the only one who loves the Stjärnstarr comforter. And while it can’t magically make your anxieties disappear (sigh), it can help you get that restful sleep you crave. I don’t know about you, but when I’m sleeping better, I feel like I can handle anything!
