Making one change to your bedtime routine could help you burn calories in your sleep

Happy days.

Lazy gals, it's the news we've all been waiting for; there is officially a way to burn calories while you sleep. There's no exercise or real hardship involved but it might make you a little uncomfortable - just turn down the temperature in your room. Researchers have discovered that those who sleep in temperatures of 66°F (around 18.8° in Celsius) burn 7 per cent more calories than those who sleep in warmer rooms. The study, which you can read in full here, found that sleeping in cooler temperatures could also help to prevent metabolic diseases, including diabetes. The cold boosts your metabolism, according to the researchers, as your body has to work harder to maintain its temperature through the night and therefore uses up more calories. The guys over at Reader's Digest have worked out that this amounts to 100 extra calories burned every three nights, so you probably shouldn't rely on this method alone if you're trying to slim down but every little helps. Getting used to the cold is one thing but getting your other half to put up with your icy hands and feet in the bed just as the evenings are getting chillier? That's quite another.   Feature image via Urban Outfitters.