Benefits of Sleeping Naked

Potential Sleep Benefits

Being too hot or too cold affects sleep quality, causing restless sleep and making you spend less time in the important sleep stages. Trusted Source Journal of Physiological Anthropology View Source Trusted Source Environmental Research View Source Although it hasn’t been directly studied, experts believe sleeping nude may help facilitate an optimal body temperature, helping you fall asleep faster and promoting better sleep. 

Sleep and body temperature are intricately linked. Trusted Source National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) The NIGMS supports basic research that increases our understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. View Source Trusted Source Frontiers in Neuroscience View Source As body temperature rises and falls throughout the day, it has an effect on alertness levels. Trusted Source Journal of Pineal Research View Source In the evening, the body cools down its core temperature by sending out heat through the skin. Trusted Source Current Opinion in Physiology View Source Taking steps to warm the skin at bedtime can help prepare the body for sleep and help you fall asleep faster. This is why most people wear pajamas and snuggle up under blankets.

Body temperature continues to fluctuate as the night wears on and you cycle through the different stages of sleep. Whereas high temperatures can disrupt sleep, the body can compensate for fairly low temperatures without sleep quality being affected. That’s why experts recommend keeping the bedroom between 66 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping a cool room temperature and sleeping naked allows you to easily adjust your core body temperature through the night by throwing the blankets on or off.

“Keeping cool at night is a simple way to improve sleep quality. For those who prefer to sleep with a thick and warm comforter, sleeping naked is a good way to counterbalance that extra warmth.”

David Rosen, MD

Sleep Medicine Physician

Sexual and Reproductive Health Benefits

Vaginal Health

Sleeping naked may help keep Candida yeast from flourishing in the vagina. An overgrowth of Candida causes a yeast infection Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source , which may inflame the mucous membrane of the vagina, causing pain and itching.

The risk of yeast infections is increased by inadequate air circulation Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source , commonly due to tight or synthetic underwear. Even if you don’t want to sleep fully naked, choosing loose, breathable underwear while you sleep can contribute to overall better vaginal health.

Male Fertility

In certain cases, sleeping naked may positively impact male fertility. Allowing the testicles to overheat leads to decreased sperm count and quality. Trusted Source Current Opinion in Urology View Source Usually, muscles move the testicles closer or further from the body to keep them at a slightly cooler temperature than the rest of the body.

It’s plausible that wearing tight underwear may interfere with this process, keeping the testicles closer to the body and causing them to overheat. While there is little research on sleeping naked per se, studies do suggest that looser underwear such as boxers are generally more favorable for sperm production. Trusted Source Human Reproduction View Source

Improved Intimacy 

Sleeping naked next to your partner may increase feelings of fulfillment and connection between couples. Partners who spend time engaging in skin-to-skin contact are more likely to feel less stressed Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and closer to their partner. Skin-to-skin contact releases the hormone oxytocin, which is a feel-good hormone that strengthens emotional bonds while reducing anxiety Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

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Other Benefits

Improved Metabolism

Sleeping naked could potentially have benefits for your metabolism, if it keeps you a little on the cooler side. 

When you’re cold (but not cold enough to shiver), your body activates a special type of fat cells to keep warm by burning energy. Trusted Source Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms View Source The activation of these “brown fat cells” helps protect against obesity, insulin resistance, and development of type 2 diabetes. Trusted Source Scientific Reports View Source Trusted Source Temperature (Austin) View Source Being cold over a prolonged period of time is thought to create more of these energy-burning brown fat cells. Trusted Source Diabetes View Source

Small studies suggest that being slightly cold overnight may be one way to increase brown fat cells and improve insulin sensitivity, whereas being slightly warm may undo these benefits. The role of brown fat in sleep needs more research, and most studies to date have been performed on animals or newborns. However, there’s no doubt that sleep and metabolism are linked, and there’s even a possibility that activation of brown fat may help improve sleep.

It’s a delicate balance, because being too cold might make you uncomfortable and interfere with your sleep quality. Trusted Source Journal of Physiological Anthropology View Source Interrupted or poor-quality sleep also triggers changes that can lead you to gain weight, and cold exposure in and of itself can make you hungrier.

Self-Esteem

In addition to decreasing stress, sleeping naked with a partner may help you feel good about your body. Though researchers haven’t specifically studied couples who sleep naked together, one study did examine the effects of being naked in larger groups of people. The results suggested that spending time naked around others increases self-esteem Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and encourages a positive body image.

Physical Comfort

For some people, pajamas may cause skin irritation or discomfort. Trusted Source International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health View Source If you’re bothered by the feel of pajamas against your skin, sleeping naked might be a good option.

If you do choose to wear pajamas, look for a design and material that make sense for the climate. People living in hot, humid climates should look for breathable materials like cotton, while those in colder climates might prefer flannel or other insulating options.

Tips to Start Sleeping Naked

If you’re ready to sleep naked, here are some helpful tips to get started:

• Keep it clean: Make sure to change or wash your sheets at least once a week. Having a few sets of sheets can help keep things fresh and clean. 
• Choose appropriate bedding: Invest in climate-appropriate sheets and bedding to help with temperature regulation.
• Prioritize personal hygiene: Shower before bed to keep your sheets clean longer.
• Consider your living situation: It’s a good idea to keep a housecoat nearby that you can throw on if you need to talk to roommates or family members. If you sleepwalk, you may want to sleep in at least underwear.
• Communicate with your partner: Tell your partner if you’re making this change and invite them to try it with you if they feel comfortable.
• Take things one step at a time: If you want to sleep naked but you feel awkward about it, try starting by sleeping in just underwear and gradually transitioning to being fully nude.

It’s important to use blankets and pajamas if you live in a very cold area and are unable to heat your bedroom. Allowing yourself to become too cold during sleep can be especially dangerous if you have preexisting heart problems.

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