Hot, sticky nights can make falling and staying asleep feel impossible.
If you’re constantly flipping your pillow to the cool side and counting the hours until sunrise, you’re not imagining it. Research from the National Sleep Foundation reveals that sleep efficiency, defined as the ratio of time spent in bed to time spent sleeping, decreases to 77% in the summer1. Considering that the ideal sleep efficiency is 85%, there’s a reason so many of us wake up feeling less than refreshed.
The good news? With a few simple adjustments, such as investing in the best summer pajamas, you can enhance your sleep quality during the hotter months. Let’s dive into why sleep can feel elusive in the summer, how the right sleepwear can make a major difference, and what to look for when shopping for summer PJs.
Why Is It So Hard to Sleep in the Summer?
We’ve all experienced that “sweet spot” of being perfectly comfortable in bed: the temperature is just right, the mattress has the perfect firmness, and your pajamas are cozy. You’re picturing it, right now, aren’t you?
Why is this blissful state so elusive in the summer? It’s not just a lack of AC—multiple factors combine to make sleep especially tough in the warmer months.
The first challenge, of course, is the temperature. As outdoor temperatures rise, your body works harder to maintain a calm, comfortable state during the night. A drop in core body temperature is a natural part of falling asleep, but when it’s warm and sticky outside, your body has to work harder to stay cool, which in turn makes it harder to fall and stay asleep.
Longer daylight hours are another issue. More sunlight throws off your circadian rhythm, as we’re exposed to more heat and light late in the daytime. Essentially, this extra light tricks your body into thinking it needs to stay awake, no matter how sleepy you are.
How to Improve Sleep Quality During Hot Summer Nights
Making a few minor adjustments to your sleep setup can make a significant difference in your nightly rest. Some of the tried-and-true tips for better sleep include:
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Cooling down your room: Experts at the Cleveland Clinic recommend a sleep temperature range of 60 to 67°F2. To achieve this, run the air conditioner or fans, hang blackout curtains to block out light, and use breathable bedding.
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Taking a lukewarm shower before bed: Research shows that taking a shower an hour or two before bed can help signal your body to begin cooling down, so you fall asleep sooner3.
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Avoiding heavy meals or alcohol close to bedtime: Both can raise your body temperature and disrupt your sleep cycle.
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Wearing lightweight, breathable pajamas: What you wear to bed matters more than you might think.
That last point matters—your pajamas can help regulate body temperature or trap heat, making you feel even hotter.
What to Look for in the Best Summer Pajamas
When shopping for summer pajamas, look for styles designed with breathability, softness, and moisture-wicking properties in mind. The goal is to feel comfortable, cool, and entirely at ease. Here are a few features to prioritize.
1. Cooling Fabrics
Natural fabrics, like cotton, modal, bamboo, and TENCEL™, are ideal for warm nights. They’re lightweight, breathable, and allow air to circulate, helping your body regulate temperature.
We’re known for our soft, thoughtfully crafted sleepwear, and it’s all thanks to temperature-regulating, eco-friendly materials that feel like a dream against the skin.
2. Loose, Relaxed Fits
Tight clothing traps heat and restricts movement. Look for relaxed silhouettes that don’t cling to your body. Eberjey’s Gisele Shortie Short PJ Set and Relaxed Short PJ Sets are summer favorites, offering a breezy fit and buttery-soft fabric for the ultimate comfort.
3. Moisture-Wicking Properties
No one likes sweating when sleeping, so choosing pajamas that wick away moisture is a game-changer. Modal and bamboo fabrics are excellent for keeping you dry and comfortable.
4. Thoughtful Details
Scratchy seams, tight waistbands, and bulky buttons can be irritating and disrupt your sleep. Look for PJs with smooth, flat seams and minimal hardware. Eberjey’s designs have clean lines and feminine details that don’t sacrifice comfort. The Frida TENCEL™ Modal Shortie Short PJ set, for example, features eye-catching whipstitch edging, adding a fun detail without compromising comfort.
Eberjey: Where Self-Care Meets Sleepwear
Whether it’s bedtime after a beach day or a lazy morning, the right pajamas elevate your routine.
Eberjey’s curated collection of cooling, soft, and stylish summer pajamas makes it easy to relax, even on the hottest nights. Whether you prefer a classic like the Gisele Short PJ Set or something luxurious , like the Inez Washable Silk Short PJ set, there’s a pair of summer PJs in the collection that’ll help you reclaim your rest.
When you’re ready to upgrade your sleepwear drawer, discover the best summer pajamas for women at Eberjey, where comfort, style, and self-care come together seamlessly.
Sources:
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Barron, J. (20 June 2022). The surprising effect summer’s long days have on Americans’ sleep. Sleep.com. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.sleep.com/sleep-health/summer-effect-on-sleep
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(2021 November 16). What’s the best temperature for sleep? Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-the-ideal-sleeping-temperature-for-my-bedroom
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Hagajhayeb, S. et al. (August 2019). Before-bedtime passive body heating by warm shower or bath to improve sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087079218301552?via%3Dihub
