Taiwan and Japan Advise Energy‑Saving Sleep Tips Amid Summer Heat

Sleep specialists in Taiwan compiled eight practical measures to stay cool at night without relying on air‑conditioning. Their advice includes blocking sunlight during the day, using cross‑ventilation in the early morning or evening, enhancing fan airflow with ice, choosing breathable cotton‑linen bedding or traditional bamboo mats, taking a hot shower before bed to trigger post‑shower cooling, sleeping lower in the room, limiting electronic device use before sleep, and staying hydrated to avoid heat‑related illness.

In Japan’s Toyama prefecture, Professor Tomoaki Doi of Toyama University’s emergency‑medicine department recommended keeping the air‑conditioner running rather than using a timer during hot nights, citing minimal monthly electricity cost differences (about ¥450) and the importance of preventing heatstroke. He suggested setting indoor temperatures no higher than 28 °C, adjusting settings for children and the elderly, and using appropriate bedding to balance comfort and safety.