Let's face it, trying to sleep during heatwaves can be excruciating. You're frustrated, sweaty, and wide awake at 3 a.m. trying to calculate how many hours of sleep you could still salvage before you need to get up.As a team, we've tried practically every TikTok sleep hack that promises a cooler night's sleep, only to be left largely disappointed. (We're still reeling from trying the Egyptian sleep method.) But how do sleep experts mange to fall asleep during heatwaves? And what cooling sleep hacks do they use that actually work?To find out, we've got in touch with four leading sleep experts who've shared the five hacks that help them swerve insomnia and night sweats during heatwaves. Plus, they reveal the three things you should avoid at all costs...Key takeaways Ensure windows are closed and blackout curtains are shut during the day to trap cool night air in your bedroomCooling hacks include switching to lightweight, breathable bedding, and taking a lukewarm shower to trigger your body's natural cooling processAvoid heavy or spicy meals and vigorous exercise close to bedtime, as both significantly raise your core body temperature.If sharing a bed with a partner generates too much heat, try sleeping separately temporarily or adopting the Scandinavian sleep method of using two individual duvets.If you are struggling to sleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed to rest in a cooler room and only return when you are genuinely tired.5 things sleep experts do to fall asleep during heatwaves 1. They block out heat during the dayThis may be an obvious one, but the first thing you should do is try to cool down your room as much as possible. However, what isn't as obvious is how to keep your bedroom (especially when you have no air conditioning)."Many people open their windows when it’s hot outside, but if the outside air is warmer than inside, you’re actually letting this heat in to the room," says Dr. Lindsay Browning, a neuroscientist and clinical psychologist at TroubleSleeping.