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Benefits of Sleeping Naked
- Sleeping nude can help your core temperature cool faster and lead to better sleep.
- Sleeping naked may improve health, partner intimacy, anxiety, and self-esteem.
- When sleeping naked, make sure your bedding is comfortable, the room temperature is optimal, and you prioritize personal hygiene before bed.
Some people believe sleeping naked helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. However, researchers haven’t directly studied these potential benefits of sleeping nude. If sleeping naked helps you receive the recommended amount of sleep each night, then it’s worth trying. Research suggests that sleeping naked may potentially positively impact reproductive health, connection with a partner, and self-esteem.
Potentially Improved Sleep
Our bodies are regulated by our circadian rhythm, which cycles through heating and cooling patterns throughout the day. As we begin to feel tired at the end of the day, our melatonin production increases and our core body temperature decreases. This decrease in body temperature continues throughout the night.
The optimal room temperature for sleep ranges from around 66 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and is key to sleeping well. Becoming too warm at night interferes with sleep. For this reason, some people believe sleeping nude can help your body achieve a cooler core temperature faster and promote better sleep. Researchers haven’t directly studied the effect sleeping nude has on sleep, however.
If you decide to try sleeping naked, make sure you have comfortable bedding. Like heat, cold can also negatively affect sleep quality. Researchers found that those who slept semi-nude were more susceptible to changes in the ambient temperature unless they also had adequate bed covers that they could use throughout the night to keep them from becoming too cold.
Vaginal Health
Sleeping naked may help keep Candida yeast from flourishing in the vagina. An overgrowth of Candida causes a yeast infection , which may inflame the mucous membrane of the vagina, causing pain and itching.
The risk of yeast infections is often increased by inadequate air circulation , commonly due to tight or synthetic underwear. Avoiding tight or ill-fitting underwear while you sleep can contribute to overall better vaginal health.
Skin Health
Sleep can impact your skin’s health and appearance. When you are fatigued and not getting enough sleep, your skin is more susceptible to wrinkles, drooping, swelling, and dark circles under your eyes. Delayed or reduced sleep also impacts your skin’s ability to heal wounds, like cuts or blisters.
If sleeping naked helps you sleep better, then it will also improve the health of your skin. More sleep gives your skin time to regenerate and repair any wounds, helping you look and feel your best. That said, no studies have been conducted yet on how sleeping nude affects skin.
Male Fertility
Sleeping naked may positively impact male fertility, though it hasn’t been directly studied. Research suggests that wearing tight-fitting underwear increases the temperature of the scrotum, which can decrease sperm vitality and count. For this reason, wearing boxers versus tighter fitting underwear may impact the concentration of sperm in men. Additionally, there is evidence that scrotal cooling directly impacts sperm health and motility.
Sleeping naked can help you keep your body temperature cooler. Although research on sleeping naked is needed to draw valid conclusions, past research suggests the cooling associated with sleeping nude might increase sperm health.
Relationships and Self-Esteem
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 and closer to their partner. Skin-to-skin contact releases the hormone oxytocin, which is a feel-good hormone that promotes feelings of safety and love while reducing anxiety .
In addition to decreasing stress, sleeping naked with a partner may help you feel good about your body. Spending time naked around others increases self-esteem and a positive body image.
Tips To Start Sleeping Naked
If you’re ready to sleep naked, here are some helpful tips to get started:
- 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.
- Invest in comfortable sheets and bedding to help with temperature regulation.
- Shower before bed to keep your sheets clean longer.
- If you sleepwalk, you may want to sleep in at least underwear, especially if you live with roommates or family members.
- Tell your partner if you’re making this change and invite them to try it with you
Danielle is originally from Vancouver, BC, where she has spent many hours staring at her ceiling trying to fall asleep. Danielle studied the science of sleep with a degree in psychology at the University of British Columbia
Dr. David Rosen’s passion to help improve America’s sleep led him to launch renumasleep.com, a digital health platform focused on providing streamlined and accessible care for obstructive sleep apnea, in August 2022.
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References
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