Korea’s summers have always been brutal, but the last few years have pushed things into genuinely difficult territory.

Tropical nights that don’t drop below 30’C, humidity that sits on you like a wet blanket, and an air conditioner that you’re either too scared of the electricity bill to run all night, or one that leaves you freezing at 3 a.m. wondering where summer went.

A few things that actually help.

Keep the AC set between 24 and 26 degrees rather than blasting it cold. Your body sleeps better with a gradual cool down than a shock to the system.

Sleep with a thin bamboo or linen sheet instead of anything heavier. Both materials breathe properly and don’t trap heat the way cotton does.

Shower before bed, but make it lukewarm rather than cold. A cold shower wakes your body up. Lukewarm brings your core temperature down slowly, which is what actually helps you drift off.

Keep a frozen water bottle near your feet. It sounds strange but works.

Turn the fan toward the wall, not directly at you. It circulates air without drying you out.

Whatever you try, the good news is autumn is coming. Eventually.