When Thunder Rolls and Lightning Strikes – Trying to Sleep Through a Summer Storm

Phew, it's gotten really hot the past few days! When we stroll home late in the evening after a lovely get-together with friends, barefoot in sandals and ice cream in hand, it almost feels like we’re on vacation.

At least until the alarm goes off at 6 a.m. and rudely reminds us that—nope—we're not in Spain.

As lovely as these balmy summer nights can be, they come with a crackling downside: summer thunderstorms. And they don’t mess around.

Honestly, I’ve always found thunderstorms kind of thrilling. The flickering light, the distant rumble of thunder, the electric tension in the air... it’s like a little nature-made theater performance right outside the window. If only there wasn’t one tiny problem: sleep-wise, it’s an absolute disaster.

The heavy, humid air, the sudden booms, the lightning that flashes across the bedroom every ten seconds – not exactly the stuff peaceful dreams are made of. And if you don’t have blackout blinds? Congratulations, you get the full strobe light show for free. Just as you're finally dozing off, the next thunderclap makes sure you're not staying asleep. Naturally, at full volume.

It gets even more “exciting” if you share your home with others who are less than thrilled by stormy nights. Like kids, for example, who appear silently in the doorway like tiny ghosts and whisper, “I can’t sleep.” Or dogs, who go from brave protector to trembling fluff ball in no time, turning the night into a full-on house tour between the bedroom, kitchen, and under the couch.

So what can you do when the sky decides it wants to put on a light-and-sound show at 3 a.m.?Dark curtains help block out the lightning, and a bit of background noise – from a fan, soft music, or white noise – can take the edge off the thunder. A calm evening routine also works wonders: herbal tea, a good book, or (dare I say it) putting the phone down a little earlier. And if you’re wide awake anyway, maybe just take a minute to appreciate the storm. It’s more dramatic than most things on Netflix.

In the end, summer does what it wants. And as long as the storm stays outside, maybe we can get through it with a bit of patience – and balance a little less sleep with a bit more fresh air the next morning.