UK households urged to avoid late dinners this weekend

With sweltering weather hitting the UK this weekend, there's one unusual tip you might want to follow that could help you cope in the heatwave. Getting a good night of sleep can be hard when it's so hot but experts have shared their tips to help you get your 40 winks in warm weather.

Sweating during sleep can be a source of major discomfort and prevent you from having a good night's sleep. You could be eating some foods which are making this issue worse says sleep expert Ashley Hainsworth from Bed Kingdom. Ashley has explained what you should and shouldn't eat before bed to help you get a good night of sleep. The Met Office says the heatwave will peak on Saturday July 12 with conditions to be "dry, hot and sunny for almost all of the UK."

Sweating during sleep is a common occurrence and happens for mainly two reasons. The first is your environment.

While it's enjoyable to snuggle under a heavy blanket or wear warm pyjamas, these things can often lead to waking up in the middle of the night covered in sweat.

For an improved sleeping environment, the ideal temperature to turn your thermostat to is between 15C to 20C.

Experts say you should avoid eating a large meal at least two to three hours before sleeping.

This means your digestive system won't be working after your fall asleep, allowing your body to rest more.

Avoiding spicy foods and caffeine at night can also be a great way to beat the night-time sweats.

Caffeine is a stimulant and can increase your heart rate, leading to a raise in blood pressure which can activate sweat glands.

It's also important to keep your stress levels low which can help you get a better sleep.

High stress levels can mean you may experience recurring bad dreams, or general anxiety, stress is a hormonal issue which can lead to sweating.

Doing activities such as yoga and meditation before bedtime is a great way to reduce stress and calm the mind, however if stress persists, seek professional help.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure to get a better night of sleep and stay well rested during the heatwave.