Sleep temperature and metabolism

think48
think48 Posts: 366 Member
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
Do you think that if you are a little cooler when you go to bed your body works harder to warm you up, therefore burning more calories while you sleep? Logically, that makes sense to me, but I don't know if it really is true or not.

I usually go to sleep bundled up b/c I feel like I'm always freezing. Then I layer a couple blankets on top of me. I'm wondering if I'd burn more calories in my sleep, bumping my resting metabolic rate if I went to bed not so bundled up? Not freezing of course, lol.

Replies

  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    If you do it is probably negligible, I would assume less than a 100 cal difference.
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    Our bodies cool in our sleep (our temperature drops). We actually sleep better in a cooler room than in a warm room so I don't know if it does.
  • think48
    think48 Posts: 366 Member
    If you do it is probably negligible, I would assume less than a 100 cal difference.

    I agree, if there is a difference, it's not much, but I wonder if it would affect your overall RBM over your lifespan? 100 calories isn't much....but over your life, it could be. Heck in a week, that's 1/5 of a pound right (700 cal)? I don't know....just kind of wondering. :) Thanks for responding. I always like to hear what you think!
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    I don't think the difference would be much. The quality of sleep is what you want. I know if the room is too warm I don't sleep well. I do best in a cool room (about 67ish F) and my electric mattress pad on the lowest setting. We only have a medium weight comforter on the bed with flannel sheets in the winter. My guy likes his side of the bed on medium/high and will shove the covers off down to his waist.
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    If you do it is probably negligible, I would assume less than a 100 cal difference.

    Exactly, I probably burn more calories in the act of bundling up and grabbing extra blankets.
  • betsyweltha
    betsyweltha Posts: 17 Member
    This is an interesting theory wish someone had some concrete evidence.
  • Dobsaya
    Dobsaya Posts: 235
    Nope your metabolism drops while you sleep along with your temperature. My deep sleep calorie burn is about .9 calories per minute and 1.4 per minute while awake. My temp is in mid 97s when I sleep. It is also a scientific fact that metabolism slows while sleeping along with your heart rate and other major body functions.
  • potluck965
    potluck965 Posts: 529 Member
    Do you think that if you are a little cooler when you go to bed your body works harder to warm you up, therefore burning more calories while you sleep? Logically, that makes sense to me, but I don't know if it really is true or not.

    I usually go to sleep bundled up b/c I feel like I'm always freezing. Then I layer a couple blankets on top of me. I'm wondering if I'd burn more calories in my sleep, bumping my resting metabolic rate if I went to bed not so bundled up? Not freezing of course, lol.

    If this were true I'd be skinny as a rail. I have an old house and we really can't afford to keep the temp in the winter much over 60. It is always cold and I wear a lot of outside clothes in the house. I have to sleep with many blankets and in lots of clothes like long underwear and I am almost never really warm.

    I don't think it matters a bit when it comes to weight loss.
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