Couples all over the world are constantly battling over how hot or cold the bedroom should be at night. Now, those who are on the cold side will have a little extra ammunition on their side, as science has just confirmed that sleeping in colder temperatures really IS healthier!

Dr. Christopher Winter, medical director at Charlottesville Neurology & Sleep Medicine, just wrote an article stating that there are many reasons to keep your thermostat between 60-67 degrees F while you sleep. He conducted research that concluded that you are more likely to toss and turn at night if the temperature falls above or below these numbers.

This is because our bodies have a natural, 24-hour cycle in which our temperatures peak in the late afternoon and fall to their lowest point around 5 am. Since your body temperature typically drops when you fall asleep, keeping your room cold could encourage you to fall asleep faster.

Researchers at the University of South Australia conducted another study that connected poor body temperature regulation with certain types of insomnia. Naturopathic doctor Natasha Turner agreed with this, saying that the combination of a healthy sleep patterns and a predictable temperature drop will release a growth hormone and decrease your stress hormone. This in turn can then help you to lose weight.

Another study found that it can lower your risk for metabolic disease like diabetes. Those who participated in this study burned more calories while they were awake and also doubled their amount of brown fat, or good fat, which makes it possible for the body to store fewer calories.

When you go to sleep tonight, try turning the thermostat down a couple notches. It may just help improve your health in a ton of ways!