The science of temperature and sleep

Your body’s temperature plays a crucial role in sleep quality. Naturally, it drops by 1–2°F at night to signal that it’s time to rest, helping boost melatonin production and promote deeper, more restorative sleep [1]. But most bedding fights against this rhythm, trapping heat, causing discomfort, and leading to restlessness. That’s where the Sleeping Dove Comforter makes a difference.

Designed for targeted temperature control, the Sleeping Dove Comforter aligns with science-backed insights on better sleep. Research shows that cooling specific areas of the body can improve sleep efficiency [2]. The Sleeping Dove Comforter has two intuitive cooling windows for each sleeper, one at the midsection and one at the legs and feet, so you can release heat exactly where your body needs it. Even when open, a soft, sheet-like layer remains in place, keeping you covered and cozy while allowing excess warmth to escape. This is scientifically useful for many sleepers, including those experiencing hot flashes or central body heat retention [7], or sleepers who struggle with hot feet, a common cause of restlessness [3]. In cooler rooms, keeping the foot window closed can help gently warm your feet, which has been shown to support faster sleep onset [4].

Some sleepers are also sensitive to weight—especially on their feet or toes. Studies show that pressure from heavy bedding on the lower legs can feel restrictive and even delay sleep onset for certain individuals [5][6]. The Sleeping Dove Comforter solves this with regional weight control: it’s carefully designed to feel lighter where pressure isn’t welcome, like at your feet, and more substantial where you crave coziness. You stay comfortably tucked in, without that trapped feeling that can interrupt your rest.

Science agrees: personalized temperature and weight regulation improve rest by syncing with your natural rhythms and comfort needs. The Sleeping Dove Comforter is built for exactly that, meeting modern sleep science with a thoughtful design and traditional, high-quality materials. No wires. No noise. Just fine cotton, luxurious fill, and a construction that adapts to your body the way nature intended.

So if you’ve been tossing and turning, sweating under too much fill or fighting the weight on your toes, it might not be you, it might be your comforter. The Sleeping Dove Comforter is your simple, beautifully made solution to better sleep, naturally.

  1. Kräuchi, K., et al. (1994). "Circadian rhythm of heat production, heart rate, and skin and core temperature." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 267(3), R819-R829. https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpregu.1994.267.3.R819
  2. Lan, L., et al. (2018). "Local body cooling to improve sleep quality and thermal comfort in a hot environment." Indoor Air, 28(1), 135-145. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28960513/
  3. Okamoto-Mizuno, K., & Mizuno, K. (2012). "Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm." Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 31(1), 14. https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1880-6805-31-14
  4. Kräuchi, K., et al. (1999). "Warm feet promote the rapid onset of sleep." Nature, 401(6748), 36-37. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10485703/
  5. Bader, M., & Engelhart, M. (2004). "Individual differences in comfort with bedding and ambient conditions." International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 33(4), 301–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2004.02.004
  6. Okamoto-Mizuno, K., & Mizuno, K. (2012). "Effects of bedding on sleep and thermoregulation." Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 31(1), 14. https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1880-6805-31-14
  7. Xu, Y., et al. (2022). "Sleep quality in menopausal and overweight women: the role of central body heat and nighttime thermal discomfort." Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16, 931022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9310220/