Why You Wake Up Cold at 3 AM When the Power Is Out

When the power goes out in winter, a house without heat keeps cooling all night, and your body hits its own low point in the hours before dawn. That's why so many people wake up cold at 3 AM. The good news: almost everything that decides that moment happens before you go to bed. What you'll learn: - Why the clothes you wore all day can pull heat out of you at night - Why supper and water matter for staying warm until morning - How to keep your feet warm, and the safe way to use a hot water bottle - Why breathing under the covers makes your blankets colder - How to stop the cold coming up through the mattress - What happens in your body before dawn, and how to be ready for it - Two things people reach for at night that make it worse or more dangerous Safety note: Never heat your home with a gas oven, camp stove, charcoal or candles, and never run a generator inside your home or garage. Use only heaters rated for indoor use, follow the manual, and keep a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm. If you have diabetes or reduced feeling in your feet, don't put heat directly against your skin. If someone shows signs of hypothermia, get medical help right away. This video is general information, not medical advice. Sources: - National Institute on Aging — hypothermia and older adults - National Weather Service — winter weather safety - CDC — hypothermia warning signs; carbon monoxide poisoning prevention - Kräuchi et al., "Warm feet promote the rapid onset of sleep," Nature, 1999 - Ko & Lee, bed socks and sleep in a cool environment, Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 2018 - Okamoto-Mizuno & Mizuno, "Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm," Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 2012 - Duffy et al., circadian temperature and wake timing in older people, American Journal of Physiology, 1998 - Whittam, Wilson & Greenwood, hot water bottle burn injuries, Eplasty, 2010 Subscribe for calm, practical help getting your home ready before winter hits. #poweroutage #winterpreparedness #staywarm