Do you prefer to sleep with no clothes at all? If you do, you may be wondering if it’s healthy. According to experts, there are many benefits to skipping the pajamas. Generally, it’s both comfortable and natural. Here are some of the other advantages.
Health Benefits of Sleeping Naked
Stripping down to your birthday suit has the potential to improve the quality of your sleep. It offers other health benefits, as well. Here are some of the possible benefits of sleeping in the buff.
Better Sleep
Perhaps the best reason for sleeping nude is that it can lead to better sleep. That’s because sleeping in the buff helps keep your body temperature lower. If you are too hot, you won’t be able to sleep well.
Body temperature plays a crucial role in the quality of your sleep. Your body temperature naturally falls as bedtime approaches. This change in temperature tells your circadian rhythm (24-hour clock) that it's time for bed and triggers sleep.
When you are cooler, you sleep better. Researchers have found that lowering your skin temperature reduces the number of times you wake up during the night.
More Comfortable
Many people choose to sleep without clothes simply because it’s more comfortable. Snoozing in the buff feels much better than wearing too-tight pajamas or underwear that bunch up. When your nightclothes aren’t comfortable, it can make it harder to fall asleep. Plus, pajamas can restrict your natural movement during sleep, leading to sleep disruptions.
Reduces Stress
Sleeping in the nude may reduce stress, making it easier to fall asleep. Sleeping in the nude may enable you to feel more comfortable. When you are comfortable, it helps keep cortisol levels lower. Cortisol is the stress hormone. Lower levels can help you feel less anxious and more relaxed.
Lowers the Risk of Skin Infections
Fungi thrive in warm, damp areas. Your pajamas can trap moisture and heat as you sweat during the night. This can lead to fungal skin infections. These infections are not usually serious, but they can be quite annoying.
Shedding your pajamas can keep the skin dry and cool, reducing the chance of fungal infections. In addition, sleeping without underwear can lower the risk of candida yeast infections for women. That’s because it improves air circulation “down there.”
May Boost Fertility
Shedding the hot pajamas may improve fertility (in males). Testosterone is an important male sex hormone when it comes to sperm count. Low testosterone may lead to low sperm counts. Most of the body’s testosterone is made while you sleep. If you become too hot while you sleep, it could impair testosterone production. Sleeping naked keeps you cooler, which may just help boost fertility. In addition, wearing tight underwear has also been found to lower testosterone levels. That’s likely because it causes the temperature of the testicles to rise. Sleeping without underwear allows the testicles to stay cool.
Can Help With Weight Loss
Sleeping naked doesn’t directly lead to weight loss. But, it does facilitate weight loss by improving your sleep quality. When you get enough sleep, it is easier to lose weight. That’s because sleep reduces levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. This makes you feel less hungry, and thus less likely to overeat. One study, conducted by King’s College London, found that getting an extra hour of sleep per night leads to a decreased intake of carbohydrates and sugar.
May Boost Intimacy
Sleeping without clothes beside your partner can increase closeness and intimacy with them. When you have skin-to-skin contact with your partner, it releases the “love” hormone oxytocin. When this hormone is released, it facilitates bonding between you and your partner and makes you feel calm and relaxed.
Do you need further proof that it's time to sleep in the buff?
Tips for Sleeping in the Nude
The perfect sleep environment, whether you sleep with or without pajamas, is quiet, dark, and cool. Here are some other sleep-friendly tips for sleeping in the buff.
- If you are new, start gradually - Not ready to make the jump to sleeping completely nude? It can be awkward to sleep without clothes if you don’t usually. You can make it more natural by wearing a loose shirt or just underwear at first. Gradually easing into sleeping in the buff can reduce any discomfort you might feel.
- Choose soft, natural bedding - If you are sleeping without clothes, you want to pay special attention to your bedding. Select comforters, duvets, and sheets that are breathable and allow heat to escape. Soft materials like bamboo and organic cotton are ideal.
- Think about emergencies - Keep a robe or other clothing close by in case you have to quickly get out of bed and leave the house due to a fire or an unexpected medical event.
- Take a quick shower before bed - A shower, even if it's a warm one, will drop your core body temperature slightly, helping you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.
- Change your bedding frequently - If you sleep in the nude, for the sake of hygiene, wash your bedsheets at least weekly. Our skin naturally emits oils and we constantly shed dead skin. If you shower before going to bed, you may be able to get away with less frequent sheet washings.
Alternatives to Sleeping Stark Naked
Sleeping without clothes is not for everyone. If you're a sleepwalker, it might not be an option for you. And, if you’re grossed out by the thought of bacteria escaping during a nocturnal fart, you can instead choose pajamas that are made of a natural fiber like silk, bamboo, or cotton. Choose ones that are loose-fitting as well. This should help your body stay cool during the night.
