If you like to sleep in your birthday suit, you’ve probably gotten your fair share of complaints from friends, roommates and traumatized guests who accidentally opened the wrong door.
But don’t worry! Science is on your side. There are quite a few health benefits to sleeping naked and it is definitely one of the secret to better sleep.
Not only can it help you with physical things like thermoregulation, but it can also boost your mood, improve your confidence and increase feelings of trust and intimacy between you and your bed partner.
It isn’t just about enjoying the feeling of clean sheets on your bare skin. Sleeping naked has real, tangible benefits for both your mind and body.
You don’t have to take our word for it, however. We’ve put together a list of reasons why you should consider sleeping in the nude.
As a bonus, all of them are backed by scientific research, so you can take this list and wave it in the face of the next person who tries to say something about “privacy” or “decency” or “just close the door, for the love of God.”
Are you ready to sprawl out on your bed without a care in the world? Check out this infographic from Snore Mentor about 13 reasons why you should sleep naked.
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While sleeping naked promotes health, less than 30 percent of people actually do.
According to research, sleeping naked has a range of health-boosting benefits that range from improving thermoregulation to increasing fertility.
Why Is Sleeping Naked Good for You?
Clothing worn during sleep prevents optimal thermoregulation, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis. It keeps our core temperature stable.
A stable core temperature is key to a good night’s sleep because it prevents overheating, keeps our cortisol levels stable, and helps our bodies repair damage.
Read on for all 13 of the reasons why science says you should be sleeping naked.
1. Keeps Your Genitals Clean
Fun fact: Wearing underwear isn’t great for your genital health.
Nicole Prause — an associate research scientist at UCLA — says trapping your genitals in this moist environment during sleep makes them more prone to bacterial infections like jock strap itch and yeast infections.
2. Good for Your Sperm
If you are trying to conceive, sleeping naked boosts your chances of success. According to a study published in the May 2016 edition of Andrology, men who slept naked and wore boxers during the day had higher sperm counts and healthier sperm.
3. Increases Relationship Satisfaction
Aside from encouraging couples to engage in more physical contact, sleeping naked increases intimacy boosting levels of oxytocin, aka. The “love” hormone. Increased physical and emotional openness buffers the couple against daily stressors, which increases overall happiness.
According to one survey of 1,000, 57% of nude sleepers reported being happier with their relationship, compared to just 48% of clothing-clad catnappers.
4. Slows the Aging Process
In a 2012 study, published in the journal Sleep, Mah et Al found that adequate sleep increases levels of human growth hormone. This hormone repairs damage to muscle and bone tissue. Additionally, the melatonin released during sleep fights signs of aging.
5. Helps You Lose Weight
According to the National Institutes of Health, exposing your body to cooler temperatures during sleep promotes weight loss.
Your body creates brown fat to keep you warm. Brown fat produces 300 times more heat than the rest of your body, leading to an elevated metabolic rate throughout the day.
6. Improves Sleep Quality
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that your body temperature drops as you enter deep sleep.
This slight drop in body temperature actually ensures you get a good night’s rest.
7. Regulates Cortisol
Cortisol — aka. The “stress” hormone — impacts everything from cognitive performance to weight gain. Since increased body temperature can raise cortisol levels, sleeping naked keeps your body temperature and cortisol stable.
8. Strengthens Your Immune System
Because sleeping naked decreases cortisol and increases oxytocin, it enables your body’s immune system to function optimally. Lower cortisol levels lead to reduced stress, while higher oxytocin levels promote a sense of well-being.
9. Stabilizes Body Temperature
According to the Los Angeles Sleep Study Institute, insomnia sufferers wake up because their bodies overheat during sleep. As stated above, sleeping naked improves thermoregulation, which results in a stable core temperature. Naturally, this results in a better night’s sleep.
10. Reduces Stress
Did you know chronic stress can increase your chances of developing heart disease? Since elevated body temperature raises levels of cortisol, sleeping naked reduces stress by keeping cortisol levels stable.
11. Boosts Confidence
What is the most crucial pillar of success? Confidence. It pushes us all to do and be more. In fact, the University of Melbourne found that confident people are promoted and paid more. Nakedness makes you more comfortable in your own skin and boosts your confidence.
12. Lets Your Skin Breathe
Because our clothing traps moisture and sweat, sleeping naked lets your skin breathe. Giving your skin fresh air prevents bacteria from growing and can prevent unwanted body odor.
13. Promotes Healthy Hair and Skin
Since sleep elevates your melatonin and growth hormone, your hair and skin get some much needed TLC. This gives your skin a healthy glow and contributes to thick, shiny locks.
What should you wear if you don’t want to sleep naked?
If sleeping naked makes you uncomfortable, don’t feel pressured to do it for the sake of these health benefits. Resting comfortably is infinitely more important than following arbitrary guidelines.
- Wear pajamas made from flannel, silk, or bamboo.
- Wear clothing that is lightweight, natural, and breathable.
- Make sure your clothes are loose-fitting and comfortable but not baggy.
- Avoid wearing anything made from cotton, wool, or fleece
Pro Tip: Though cotton seems lightweight, it’s not good at wicking away moisture, and it’s not a very breathable fabric.
This contributes to overall discomfort and night sweats. Bamboo, however, is hypoallergenic and antibacterial, making it a great choice for pajamas.
So the next time you’re ready to hit the hay, strip down, get comfortable, and enjoy the health benefits of sleeping naked.
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