Your images of a good night of sleep may involve your favorite pair of warm pajamas or a trusted nightgown, but the reality is that some people prefer to sleep entirely naked. While this may not be a preferred bedtime practice for everyone, those who do sleep naked tend to report that they sleep this way because it makes for a better night of sleep. So, what are the benefits of sleeping naked? Learn the facts here.
- Sleeping Naked for Comfort
- Is It Healthy to Sleep Naked?
- What About Logistical Considerations?
- Choose to Sleep Naked: Benefits in a Nutshell
- Choosing a Weighted Blanket When You Sleep Naked
Sleeping Naked for Comfort
Perhaps the number one reason that people sleep naked is that they are more comfortable this way. Overheating can disrupt sleep, which can lead some people to ditch the pajamas for good. In fact, research shows that high skin temperature and sweating can lead to poor sleep quality, causing people to wake more often at night and sleep less deeply. If pajamas are making you too hot, or you’re waking up drenched in sweat, sleeping naked can provide a solution. Studies have shown that finding the optimal temperature for sleep, which may be on the cooler side, can make it easier to fall asleep and reduce the risk of disrupted sleep throughout the night.
Is It Healthy to Sleep Naked?
For some people, sleeping naked may seem so preposterous that they question if it’s even healthy to sleep this way. To understand the answer to the question, “Is it healthy to sleep naked?” consider the fact that sleep is essential for optimal health and functioning. As scientists from Harvard Medical School explain, inadequate sleep not only impairs judgment and memory; it can also increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and early death. In the short term, poor sleep can negatively affect mood and also increase the risk of accidents and injuries. So, in summary, if sleeping naked allows you to get a better night of sleep, it is a healthy choice.
What About Logistical Considerations?
Even if you enjoy the health benefits associated with better sleep when you choose to sleep naked, you may be wondering about logistical considerations, such as cleanliness or what to do in case of an emergency. Since pajamas do provide an extra barrier between you and your sheets, there may be some hygiene implications associated with sleeping naked. This can simply mean that you may have to wash your sheets and bedding more often.
Experts generally recommend washing your sheets once a week, but if you’re sleeping directly on them because of sleeping naked, it may be a good idea to wash them every 3 or 4 days or so. If you’re sleeping naked, chances are you’re also a hot sleeper, which may mean that you’re sweating frequently as well. This also makes it necessary to wash your sheets more frequently than the recommended once-a-week rule.
Another consideration is what to do in the case of an emergency. For instance, if you wake up in the middle of the night to your smoke alarm blaring because of a fire, you’ll need to escape in a hurry, and you’ll want to be dressed. If sleeping naked gets you a better night of sleep, you can be prepared for emergencies by placing baggy, easy-to-throw-on clothing like oversized sweatpants and a t-shirt next to the bed, so you can get dressed in a hurry.
Choose to Sleep Naked: Benefits in a Nutshell
The bottom line is that people who choose to sleep naked sleep better this way, and the risks of waking up naked during a fire are probably worth the benefits. There is nothing that says you have to sleep naked, but if this is more comfortable for you, you can expect some of the following benefits from ditching the pajamas:
- Better body temperature regulation throughout the night
- Reduced sweating
- Falling asleep more quickly
- Fewer sleep disruptions during the night
- Better energy levels and functioning during the day from improved sleep
- Reduced risk of problems like heart disease, memory issues, accidents, injuries, and other health conditions that can result from inadequate sleep
Of course, sleeping naked isn’t the only way to get restful sleep, but if you struggle with getting too warm at night, it can go a long way toward helping you get the rest you need so you can feel your best.
Choosing a Blanket When You Sleep Naked
One of the primary reasons for sleeping naked is to stay cool and comfortable throughout the night, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you will go without a blanket. Blankets offer additional comfort, and are often necessary to keep the body insulated, even if you do choose to sleep naked. Sometimes, just a light blanket is enough to keep you warm, and heavy pajamas aren’t necessary.
If sleeping naked is a method you use to ensure optimal sleep, you may also be interested in a cooling weighted blanket. A blanket made from premium bamboo is a suitable option, as bamboo fabric is naturally cooling and moisture wicking, so you can have the comfort of a blanket while you sleep naked, without worrying about overheating.
Aricove makes weighted blankets from cooling bamboo fabric to provide optimal comfort throughout the night. We offer a weighted blanket of 12 lbs to meet the needs of adults around 118-145 pounds, as well as a variety of other weights, ranging from 10 to 20 lbs, to accommodate most adults.