Here's how to sleep well on a hot summer night if you don't have air conditioning

As summer heats up many of us are turning on our air conditioning for a more comfortable night's sleep ... but if your building isn’t equipped with central AC or your landlord has banned AC units, this puts you in a tricky position as the summer temperatures continue to rise.

So what can you do to fall asleep at night in an AC-free zone? INSIDER collected five useful tips to keep you cooled down during those dog nights of summer.

Trade in your regular pillows for cooling foam versions.

Because a lower physical temperature naturally promotes sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation, taking steps to bring down your body heat improves your summertime slumber. If you want to cool down quickly, it helps to start with the point between your skull and your neck, which contains the part of the brain responsible for sensing and managing body temperature.

If you want to keep your neck cool and supported overnight, a cooling foam pillow provides an easy solution. Versions stuffed with foam and gel can be found from brands like Tempur-Pedic ($170) or, for a more budget-friendly option, from Therapedic ($50).

Seek out sheet sets made from light and airy fabrics.

When it’s hot outside (and inside, due to your lack of an AC unit), sheets made from heavier fabrics like Tencel, polyester, and even certain cottons only add to the sweat-inducing conditions of your bedroom. To promote good air flow and keep you from overheating, you’ll want to invest in a set of super-breathable sheets designed for warm climates. Linen sheets accomplish this task well, and if you don’t want to shell out for an all-linen set (which can cost well over 100 bucks), linen-blend sheets can be found for under $60.

Egyptian cotton becomes a natural choice for sheets when temperatures reach into the 90s and 100s. This particular type of bedding fetches high prices, but Jet can get you started with an under-$60 set.

Don’t forget to keep water by your bed.

Dehydration makes it hard to regulate body temperature, J. Timothy Lightfoot, PhD, director of the Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance at Texas A&M University, told Prevention, a principle that holds just as true overnight as it does during your daytime workout sessions.

If you feel uncomfortably warm as you’re nodding off, a few sips of water can help release stored heat inside your body and bring you some much-needed relief. On especially steamy summer nights, you’ll want to keep a pitcher of cold water and a glass on your bedside table, so you’re ready for an impromptu cool-down.