A sound and relaxing sleep of 7 to 8 hours each night goes a long way in improving the health and well-being of individuals. While people use different methods to get a good night's sleep, they rarely consider the option of sleeping naked to ensure the same.
There is enough evidence to suggest that sleeping naked helps improve sleep, which, in turn, ensures other health benefits. Read on to know the answer to questions like is sleeping naked better for your health and what are its various benefits, drawbacks, and things to be considered?
Fall Asleep Faster
Sleeping naked might be the right solution for people who face difficulty falling asleep quickly. It helps reduce the sleepers' body temperature, which signals to the body that it is time to sleep. Body temperature impacts the sleep pattern of individuals quite significantly. This is because lowering body temperature is part of the natural circadian rhythm and acts as the body's sleep clock.
Keeps skin healthy
The quality and quantity of sleep that individuals get significantly impact their beauty and appearance. Lack of enough sleep limits the skin's ability to heal and rejuvenate, making it prone to wrinkles, dark circles, blemishes, and other such problems. Enjoying a deeper slumber to keep their skin healthy and beautiful is one of the several reasons behind women sleeping naked at night.
Better sleep quality
This Earth Day, and every day, we want to make a significant impact. Sustainable living is a way of life that is worth actively working toward, every day. To live as cleanly as possible by using less, wasting less, and recycling what we can is something anyone can and should do if they want to have a positive impact on the environment and to leave behind a better world for future generations.
With a multitude of serious environmental problems affecting our planet each year, mother nature is no longer as easy to ignore or take for granted. Many people are starting to factor in environmental friendliness and sustainability when it comes to the decisions they make, which brands to support, what to eat, what to buy and how often.
Reduce stress and anxiety
People who sleep naked also experience a reduction in their overall stress and anxiety levels, which often disrupts their sleep. Both these factors are a primary cause of insomnia, which, in turn, causes other health issues such as depression and obesity. Sleeping naked promotes the release of the feel-good hormone oxytocin, which provides anti-stress benefits. This helps people enjoy a relaxing and stress-free sleep that offers many positive health benefits.
Prevent weight gain
Lack of proper sleep can make people gain weight besides increasing their Body Mass Index (BMI) significantly. This can impact bone and muscle health and lead to other health issues. A significant reduction in the risk of weight gain is among the several benefits of sleeping naked. In addition to improving sleep quality, it also helps burn calories faster by generating heat to regulate the body temperature.
Lower risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes
Improper sleep increases the risk of Type II diabetes among individuals. This can, in turn, increase the risk of heart disease, stress and anxiety. Sleeping nude helps overcome this problem by increasing the duration and quality of sleep and boosting individuals' mental and physical well-being. It also helps to strengthen the immune system and thus minimizes the risk of infections and other ailments.
Promote vaginal health
Women who prefer to keep their underwear on while sleeping run a higher risk of getting a yeast infection in their vaginas. Sleeping naked eliminates the chances of wetness in the vagina and improves air circulation around the area to prevent the growth of infection-causing bacteria. It also helps prevent irritation, itching, and swelling of the vagina, which may cause frequent sleep disruption and impact the health of the females.
Increase male fertility
Wearing tight-fitting underwear while sleeping is known to impact the concentration of sperm in men. Wearing tight-fitting underwear increases the temperature around the testicles, and this can damage the sperm. That is why sleeping naked is highly recommended for men. It helps cool down the testicles at night by improving air circulation. This helps to improve sperm health and mortality, which has a positive impact on male fertility.
Boost self-esteem
When people choose to sleep naked, they tend to become more connected with their body and make them feel good about it. This boosts their sense of self-love and also improves their self-esteem quite significantly. As people feel more satisfied with the shape and appearance of their bodies, they tend to become more confident and less stressed. This increases their happiness and motivates them to make healthier life choices.
Improve your relationship
When people sleep naked with their partners, it helps to boost the sense of connectivity between couples. Women feel aroused by the sight of a naked guy sleeping alongside them. Men also experience a similar feeling with their naked female partners. The skin-to-skin contact between partners helps boost their sense of intimacy and promotes feelings of safety and love.
Things To Consider Before Sleeping Naked
Some important things for people considering the idea of sleeping naked include the following.
Change Sheets Often
Sleeping naked tends to make the sheets dirtier, so they should be changed more frequently.
Shower Before Sleeping
Showering before bed can help improve the overall sleep hygiene of nude sleepers.
Maintain Comfortable Room Temperature
People should maintain a comfortable room temperature when they choose to sleep naked.
Consider Sleep Habits
People who sleepwalk should consider wearing loose-fitting underwear to avoid getting embarrassed.
Tips To Start Sleeping Naked
Learning how to sleep naked is essential to enjoy its various benefits, and the following tips can prove beneficial for ensuring the same.
Discuss With Partner
Couples should first discuss the idea of sleeping naked with their partners to avoid making them feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.
Start Small
People who have never slept nude may consider wearing a t-shirt or underwear for the first few days rather than removing every item of clothing.
Use Warm Comforter
It is advisable to use a warm comforter to prevent people from feeling too cold at night without their clothes on.
The Cons of Sleeping Naked
Before you make the final decision about whether you should sleep naked, it is important to consider its cons. The most common disadvantages of sleeping naked include the following.
Increase bacteria in bed
Sleeping naked brings the body in direct contact with the bed. This increases the risk of sweat and dead skin cells dropping on the bed, creating a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. This can be problematic for highly conscious people about keeping their beds hygienic.
Increase your chances of an allergic reaction
Increased bacteria in bed also increases the risk of allergic reactions among sleepers. With no clothes to act as the barrier between the bed and their body, the impact of allergens on the sheets and mattresses increases manifold. This is especially true for people with existing allergy issues or those having sensitive skin.
Risk of sleeping cold
Another major disadvantage of sleeping naked is that it increases the risk of exposure to cold. If the room temperature is too low or the sleepers are not using the right comforter or enough blankets, their body temperature may drop significantly. This can disrupt their sleep and cause health issues like fever, cold, and flu.
What if I Can't Sleep Naked?
Despite being aware of the various benefits of sleeping naked, many people might be unable to do so for multiple reasons. In such cases, it is advisable to follow the tips given below.
Use Comfortable Sleepwear
Opting for sleepwear made from natural fibers helps to keep the body cool and makes it easier to fall asleep faster.
Remove Your Undergarments
Removing the undergarments before sleeping is another way to get a good night's sleep without getting completely nude.
Choose Breathable Bedding
Investing in breathable bedding helps to better regulate the body temperature and improve the quality and quantity of sleep.
Conclusion
Sleeping naked boosts the health and well-being of an individual besides offering various other benefits. However, shifting to this method of sleeping should be done gradually to minimize discomfort. It is also important for sleepers to follow the different tips that can maximize the benefits of nude sleeping for them.
References
Stockman, M. C., Thomas, D., Burke, J., & Apovian, C. M. (2018). Intermittent fasting: Is the wait worth the weight? Current Obesity Reports, 7(2), 172–185. Stockman, M. C., Thomas, D., Burke, J., & Apovian, C. M. (2018).
Intermittent fasting: Is the wait worth the weight? Current Obesity Reports, 7(2), 172–185.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29700718/Michalsen, A., Schlegel, F., Rodenbeck, A., Lüdtke, R., Huether, G., Teschler, H., & Dobos, G. J. (2003). Effects of short-term modified fasting on sleep patterns and daytime vigilance in non-obese subjects: Results of a pilot study. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, 47(5), 194–200.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12748412/Almeneessier, A. S., & BaHammam, A. S. (2018). How does diurnal intermittent fasting impact sleep, daytime sleepiness, and markers of the biological clock? Current insights. Nature and Science of Sleep, 10, 439–452.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30573998/
