There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep in your bed, especially during the winter months when it’s cold outside. Sunk deep in your sheets and covered by your comforter and comfy flannel jammies, it almost feels like your bed is giving you a big bear hug. But even if you love snoozing in layers, you might want to try sleeping sans your sweats. As it turns out, sleeping naked is actually good for you — in both body and mind.
If you thought that being bundled up in your bed would ensure sweet dreams, think again. Good quality sleep starts with the right ambient temperature, which hovers between 60-67 degrees (via the Sleep Foundation). Ideally, you should set your thermostat for about 65 degrees. But why should your bedroom be on the cooler side? Well, sleeping in the nude allows your body to better regulate its core temperature (via Health Digest), and in turn, sleep more peacefully. It can even improve your quality of sleep, too, allowing your brain to remove toxic proteins from its neurons (via Forbes).
Naturally, if you’re feeling more relaxed, you’re going to be less stressed. And yup, snoozing in your birthday suit can do that, thanks to increased levels of oxytocin (via Medical News Today). Less stress means an overall improved quality of life and better memory function.
There are even more benefits to sleeping naked than you might have thought
But the benefits of sleeping naked don’t end there. In fact, you might find that you’re feeling pretty good about yourself (and your body) when you sleep naked, Well + Good reports. Apparently, being au naturel can boost your self-esteem, and perhaps even lead to greater body confidence. And speaking of feeling beautiful in your own skin, sleeping naked can also apparently help you lose weight. Since your body is working to keep you cooler, your metabolism works harder to burn brown fat while you snooze. This increased boost in metabolic activity also carries over into your waking hours as well (via Inc.).
Sure, sleeping in the nude can help you look and feel better, but it can also reduce your risk for disease, too. For example, having good sleep can decrease your chances of developing diabetes or heart disease. Researchers found a correlation between shorter sleeping stints and a greater chance for getting diabetes (via Healthline). And sleeping sans clothes is also beneficial for women’s vaginal health. Since you’re not wearing undies, it reduces your chances of getting a vaginal yeast infection, which in turn, makes sleeping naked good for your girly parts (via The Healthy). Plus, if you have a partner, sleeping naked can naturally lead to greater intimacy and bonding.
Sleeping naked might not be your natural nighttime inclination, but it holds a whole host of benefits that are good for your health, your heart, your mind, and even your relationship.
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