Is there anything better than getting cozy in your favorite PJs on a chilly night and climbing into bed? Perhaps! While most of us are used to remaining clothed overnight, there are plenty of benefits to sleeping naked that might make you reconsider what you wear—or wearing anything at all—when getting some shut-eye.
- You get to sleep faster. According to research from the National Sleep Foundation, your body temperature is one of the most important factors in sleep quality. We all know how impossible it is to get any rest on those boiling hot summer nights! Since cooling down your body’s temp sends the message that it’s time to rest, stripping down helps expedite that message and will help you get to sleep faster.
- You reduce your levels of stress and anxiety. Because hopping into bed naked helps you get to sleep faster, you’ll be well on your way to getting that restorative rest your mind and body both need to stay balanced. Not getting enough sleep can increase your risk of developing depression and anxiety, so sleeping naked and therefore getting that vital rest means you’re less likely to experience these harmful side effects.
- It boosts your confidence. Think about it: it takes a certain level of self-confidence to strip down and sleep naked, especially if you’re in a relationship and sharing your bed. One study revealed that the more time you spend in the nude, the better you feel about yourself and your body. Hey, it’s worth a try!
- It can help you lose weight. Stay with me here! According to research from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, keeping your body cool (i.e. sleeping naked) overnight helps your body produce more brown fat, which burns more calories and produces more heat than any other organ. In turn, this boosts your metabolism, an effect that lasts all through the next day.
- It’s good for your vagina. While the vagina is a self-cleansing organism, there’s no denying that being stuck in sweaty underwear or other clothes can cause everything from yeast infections to bacterial vaginosis. Sleeping naked gives your lady parts a chance to air out, so to speak, and stay healthy.
- It brings you closer to your partner. Sex aside, if you’re in a relationship, there’s nothing that’s better than a little skin-to-skin contact with your partner. Research has shown that getting close while unclothed with your S.O. boosts the production of oxytocin, the feel-good bonding hormone.
- You sleep better in general. Not only does sleeping naked help you get to sleep faster, but the sleep you get will be way more restful. The ideal sleeping temperature is between 60 and 67°F, so staying within that sweet spot is paramount in getting good rest. If you’re too hot or too cold, your REM sleep will be disrupted. You can head that off by getting naked beneath the sheets.
