If you shared a dorm room in college with a roommate who slept in the buff, it might have made you slightly uncomfortable. Because, when the covers have fallen off, that’s just not something you want to see when you wake up in the morning.
As it turns out, that college roommate of yours may have known something you didn’t know. He have been sleeping better and experiencing all kinds of unexpected health benefits, just from sleeping without any clothes on. And he probably didn’t even seem like that smart of a guy!
Does Sleeping Naked Have Health Benefits?
As it turns out, most people don’t sleep without clothes on. One survey of Americans showed that only 8% of people sleep naked on a regular basis. And, in this case, it turns out that this minority of people seems to know a simple, well-kept secret that the majority of people could really benefit from.
Surprisingly, just taking a few seconds to take your clothes off before slipping into bed can not only save you on pajama laundry, but you’re likely to find that going commando during sleep has a myriad of health benefits as well. Of course, you don’t want to let your body get too cold, either, or you won’t sleep well. But if the room temperature is just slightly cool and you have blankets to keep you warm when you need them, then sleeping naked can be just perfect!
5 Surprising Benefits of Sleeping Without Clothes
When it comes to sleeping naked, you may be surprised to find that you’ll be healthier and happier if you do. Here are five reasons why:
1. Your Quality of Sleep Is Better
Temperature regulation is critical when you are sleeping. Your core body temperature drops during sleep so the room in which you are sleeping needs to be cooler than it is during the day. Thermoregulation is easier for your body and brain to balance out when you are naked. Keeping your body cool is a critical part of getting the best possible night of sleep.
Pajamas can keep you too warm, cause uncomfortable night sweats, and interfere with your sleep. Plus, there are no loose nightgowns to get twisted up, drawstrings to get tangled, or clothing to get tangled up in the sheets. Practically speaking, you can sleep better without the restriction of clothing getting in your way. Don’t worry about getting cold—your brain will automatically tell your body to reach for the blankets if they are needed.
2. Sleeping Naked Reduces Stress and Can Make You Happier
Getting overheated during the night causes a massive release of the stress hormone, cortisol. While this chemical is useful to your body in certain situations (such as when you are in danger), the regular release of it during periods of rest can be terrible for you. Increased levels of cortisol can lead to higher anxiety, panic, and a feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed. Sleeping naked ensures that you won’t get overheated at night, allowing for your body to regulate the release of cortisol better and reduce the chances that you’ll succumb to stress.
Not only does sleeping in the nude have a physical reason for reducing stress and making you happier, but it can also have psychological benefits. Many people who sleep in the buff find that they have more confidence and feel more freedom when they are starting their day. It’s as if waking up naked puts a little smile on their face. Plus, if you’re sleeping with a partner, your relationship is likely to be better and happier when you make a habit of sleeping without any clothes.
3. Sleeping Without Clothes Helps Regulate Hormones
Human growth hormone is released during sleep. This hormone is responsible for burning fat, repairing tissues, and building up muscle. Getting overheated during sleep can increase your production of cortisol, a raging stress hormone that can wreak havoc on your body and stunt your growth hormone production. This can especially be a problem for women who are in their 40s and 50s during perimenopause. In addition, as your temperature is better regulated when you’re naked, the release of growth hormone also helps to detoxify which will repair skin cells making you less prone to wrinkles and skin infections.
4. Nude Sleeping Helps You Regulate Your Weight
As mentioned above, getting overheated while you’re sleeping can cause a number of problems, one of them being the inability to lose weight and burn calories when you want to. When you keep the body temperature lowered during sleep, you are less likely to have spikes in cortisol—that pesky stress hormone that keeps you overeating and binging on unhealthy foods. Also when your sleeping body temperature is low and you are sleeping deeply your brain releases leptin, an important hormone related to appetite and weight regulation. People who are sleep deprived due to overheating are more likely to gain weight.
5. Airs Out the Hidden Parts
When your private parts, feet, and armpits are covered in cloth all day, it can be hard for them to breathe. Especially if your clothes are restrictive and/or made of synthetic fibers. You can reduce risk of fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot) by “airing” out your parts at night when you sleep naked. Adding 100% cotton sheets to the mix is even better.
Another benefit of sleeping naked is that genital areas, especially in females, may be susceptible to yeast infections due to the warmth and moisture that has a tendency to collect there. When you sleep naked, you allow these “hidden” parts to breathe a dry out a bit, reducing the risk of yeast and other types of infections.
Conclusion
While sleeping naked does have its benefits, you may want to think twice before engaging in this activity if you’re living in a dorm or sharing a bedroom with a sibling. What you gain in health you might lose in your relationships with friends or family. At the very least, keep a robe next to your bed!
