Sleeping naked might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to improving your health, but there are some benefits that might be too good to ignore.
Since sleeping naked is pretty easy to try yourself, it might be time to strip down and get your snooze on. For your health, that is.
As it turns out, there are many benefits of sleeping naked. You may have heard of some of these, but others might surprise you.
1. Fall asleep faster
Your body temperature is one key to how you fall asleep. It’s actually part of your circadian rhythm, the biological rhythm that acts as your body’s “clock” for sleep.
Cooling down tells your body that it’s time to sleep, so sleeping naked — and allowing your body temperature to go down — can actually help you fall asleep faster.
2. Better sleep quality
Not only does cooling your body help you fall asleep faster, it also improves your overall sleep quality. The ideal temperature for your bedroom is somewhere between 60 and 67°F (15 to 19°C).
One 2012 studyTrusted Source from the National Institutes of Health found that the temperature of the room where you sleep is one of the most important factors in achieving quality sleep.
If it’s too cold or too hot, you risk impacting your rapid eye movement sleep, which is the dream stage of sleep that helps refresh your brain and body. Sleeping naked is one way to stay cool beneath the covers.
3. Keeps skin healthy
Because sleeping naked can help increase your overall sleep quality, it can also improve your skin. One small study looked at whether poor sleep limited the skin’s ability to heal from a small wound.
They split participants into three groups — one that received “adequate” sleep, one that was sleep deprived, and a third that was sleep deprived but received extra nutrients. What they found was that the group that slept well recovered faster than the other two groups. And the extra nutrition? It didn’t make a significant difference in how fast the wounds healed.
This shows that getting enough sleep could help your skin to recover and stay healthy, and if sleeping naked helps that happen, even better.
4. Reduce stress and anxiety
Another reason sleeping naked might be a good change is that it could help reduce your overall stress and anxiety. It’s no secret that poor sleep has a major impact on your stress levels. Studies suggest that poor sleep is linked to depression and even increased suicide risk.
While stress and anxiety can both cause insomnia, it’s important to remember that improving your sleep quality — and getting enough sleep — may help.
5. Prevent weight gain
If you’re having problems falling asleep, it could be wreaking havoc on your life in many ways. One study followed over 21,000 people for three years and found a possible link between inadequate sleep and weight gain. Individuals who reportedly slept equal to or less than 5 hours per night were more likely to gain weight.
Another way sleeping naked could help keep you trim? Keeping your body colder at night may help boost your calorie-burning abilities.
A small study following five men discovered that exposure to cooler temperatures, around 66°F (19°C), helped their bodies increase brown fat activity.
6. Lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
If you aren’t getting enough sleep at night, you could be at risk for diabetes or heart disease. A 2010 study Trusted Source looked at data from 1,455 people over six years and found an association between lower sleep duration and increased risk of diabetes, which in turn can raise your risk for heart disease.
By sleeping naked, you may increase your ability to fall asleep faster and stay asleep, which could make all the difference when it comes to your health.
7. Promote vaginal health
Sleeping naked is also a great way to increase vaginal health and avoid yeast infections. Tight-fitting or sweaty underwear can increase your risk of a vaginal yeast infection since yeast likes to grow in warm, moist places.
Regardless of what you wear during the day, sleeping naked is an easy way to air out your vagina and keep it healthy.
8. Increase male fertility
Women aren’t the only ones who can benefit from sleeping naked. A recent study of 656 males suggested a link between wearing tight-fitting underwear and lower sperm count. Men who reported wearing boxers had a higher sperm concentration and total sperm count than those who wore tight underwear.
Sleeping naked is a great way to keep testicles cool and at an optimal temperature for sperm health.
9. Boost self-esteem
Sleeping naked is also a great way to get in touch with your body and boost your self-esteem. One study found that spending time naked helped boost self-esteem and overall body image, which is definitely a win when it comes to embracing self-love.
10. Improve your relationship
While sex can be a great part of your relationship, sleeping naked with your partner can be just as wonderful. In fact, one study discovered that skin-to-skin contact between adults stimulates the release of oxytocin, which plays an important role in building attachment between partners.
Even better? Touching your partner is also great for your health — not just your relationship — and sleeping naked is a fantastic way to reap both benefits.
The takeaway
Even if you aren’t comfortable sleeping completely naked, reducing the number of layers you wear at night — or even just ditching your bra or underwear — is an easy way to take advantage of these benefits.
When it comes to sleep, the important thing is that you’re taking steps to ensure you’re getting enough good sleep.