Struggling to sleep in the cold weather? These are the mistakes you could be making that are affecting your routine

The countdown to Christmas is on, and celebrations are in full swing. The late nights and the big meals make a welcome change from the daily grind, but they might be impacting your sleep quality.

I asked an expert panel of bedding designers and sleep scientists how to sleep better in cold weather. Their advice ranges from making easy, affordable upgrades to better insulating your bedroom to investing in warm bedding to see you through the winter.

Cold weather sleeping mistakes − how to fix your sleep routine

These are just a few of the cold-weather sleeping mistakes you might be making. My expert panel offers simple steps to get better sleep in cold weather, so that you can keep warm in bed this winter.

1. Not switching to your winter duvet

'Before you drop hundreds of dollars on a space heater, I would first recommend looking at your current bedding and seeing if it's suitable for the winter,' says Chris Ailey, Founder of Laud Sleep. 'If you're wondering when to switch to a winter comforter, I can't give you a set answer. It depends what the weather is like and how hot or cool you tend to run.'

If you're struggling to sleep in the cold, you need the best warm comforter. Feather and down are best for retaining heat, and all the little air pockets create natural loft for a nice, puffy bedspread. If you're allergic to feathers, you should consider down alternatives: this could look like anything from moisture-wicking wool to cozy microfiber fills.

Once you've settled on a fill type, it's time to work out which duvet tog you need. 'Tog' stands for 'thermal overall grading' and it's a measure of how warm a duvet will keep you, on a relative scale of 1 to 15. Chris says that 'A 13.5 tog duvet is typically the best option for the winter or anything above 10 as a good rule of thumb. Exactly where your duvet insert falls on that scale could depend on the temperature of your bedroom and how cold you get during the night.'

2. Sleeping under synthetic materials

'The materials you sleep in can greatly affect your comfort and restfulness,' says Sam Tamlyn, Sleep Expert at Shutterly Fabulous. 'Natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, are better at regulating body temperature and keeping you warmer throughout the night.'

Out of all the bed sheet types, polyester is the worst for cold sleepers and winter weather. 'Polyester traps moisture,' explains Sam, 'which can leave you feeling colder.' You're looking for moisture-wicking materials to move sweat away from your body and out of your bed.

3. Leaving the windows open

'While ventilation is important, windows shouldn't be opened for more than 10 minutes a day in very cold temperatures,' says Sam. 'Leaving windows open during cold weather can significantly lower your room temperature, making it difficult to stay warm.'

'Thermal curtains or shutters are great for providing an extra layer of insulation,' Sam continues, 'allowing you to keep your windows open for slightly longer without impacting room temperature too much.'

Chris concurs that 'cold temperatures can detrimentally affect your REM sleep state, which is important for learning, memory, and emotional processing. Keeping the room temperature slightly warm is important for more than just comfort.'

'However, it's also important not to be too warm during sleep,' says Chris. It's a fine balance: 'If you do need some extra coolness in the room, crack the window open slightly, or invest in a room fan for a light breeze.'

'Your choice of sleepwear is also important, as well as the materials they are made out of,' says Chris. 'Polyester, for example, can trap heat and moisture, leading to discomfort, so you should look into some more comfortable nightwear to suit your needs.'

'You can also try adding extra layers to your bed during really cold nights, so consider looking into thick wool blankets for enhanced warmth and comfort overnight.'