If you’re going to improve your health, often what you need more is sleep — not work or smartphones or Netflix. But not all sleep is created equal.
And the reason is not just because people are sleeping fewer hours. It’s how we sleep, the quality and the quantity too.
As far as a good sleep goes, research has shown sleeping naked can be one of the most impactful things for our bodies and health.
In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of sleeping naked, whether it is by yourself or next to someone.
Let’s dive in!
1. Helps you sleep quickly
Tossing and turning in bed when you want to sleep is annoying. Sometimes it’s because of things that stress you out. Other times, it’s because our body temperatures are not in sync with our sleep time.
Our body temperature not only keeps us cozy while we sleep but also controls our circadian rhythm, our body’s timekeeper for the sleep cycle.
For example, the circadian rhythm helps our bodies to respond to environmental cues which informs our bodies to feel sleepy or awake.
One of these cues is getting naked. It cools down our temperature and signals to our bodies to wind down.
2. Helps you sustain a deep sleep
Temperature is a vital contributor to the timing and duration of our sleep.
When we have the right temperature, not only do we sleep well, we also sleep longer. This is one of the most important benefits of sleeping naked.
The temperature for our bedrooms needs to between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for us to rest well.
The good news is that when we sleep naked, it helps to reduce our body temperature. The cooling effect, in turn, initiates our sleep and helps us to stay asleep.
This is especially important about 90 minutes after initially falling asleep. Why? Because it is often at this stage of sleep that our brains become active and we dream.
3. Helps you lose weight
There is no high school class on how to sleep well, although the average human who lives up to 79 years will spend about 26 years sleeping.
In one study of 12 men who were allowed to have only 4 hours of sleep. This sleep deprivation caused them to eat an average of 559 more calories the next day compared to when they had eight hours of sleep.
Another study reported a link between inadequate sleep and weight gain. The fewer hours you sleep (5 hours or less), the more likely you are to put on weight.
Since sleeping naked allows you to sleep quickly and stay asleep, you can get an adequate amount of sleep you need. And getting adequate sleep prevents weight gain.
Sleeping naked also cools your body, and according to this research, this may help your body to burn more calories, and lose belly fat.
4. Fights vaginal yeast infection
Vaginal yeast infections are also known as “Candida vaginal infections.”
Experts at Harvard Health estimates that 75 percent of all women are likely to have at least one vaginal Candida infection in their lifetime.
One of the ways this infection thrives is in moist and damp conditions. And there’s no better drying effect that the one from the air around us. This is why sleeping naked can be helpful.
At night, strip off all the fancy things your underwear, and air out the vagina.
5. Improves sperm health
“What are the benefits of sleeping naked?” It’s your turn gentlemen!
Several studies report that elevated scrotal temperatures are known to adversely affect testicular function.
Take for example this study of male partners of couples looking for infertility treatment at a fertility center over 17 years (2000–2017).
Researchers found that men who often wore boxers had higher sperm concentration and total count, and lower FSH levels, compared to men who did not.
Sleeping naked will help reduce the temperatures around your testicles and improve your fertility.
6. Improves relationship bonding
Yes, we all know sex is important for bonding with your partner. But that’s not all. A plethora of research suggests that frequent physical touch can work wonders too.
In one study, male-female couples were asked to stroke each other in a non-sexual way in a lab.
One of the findings was that partners who weer touched experienced a decrease in heart rate over time. What a calming effect on the body!
Another study found that naked body contact unleashes oxytocin, enabling the partners to improve their attachment to each other.
Sleeping naked together and touching each other’s bodies, after a long day of work is a great way to bond with your partner.
7. Improves sex life
The only way to turn the heat up under the sheets is to well, take those clothes off. One recent poll with 1,000 Brits found something interesting:
It turns out that 57 percent of couples who sleep naked reported being happy in their relationships.
This compared with 48 percent of those in pajamas, 43 percent of nightie wearers, and 38 percent of those who sleep in onesies.
8. Improves mental health
Life is full of stress. Our jobs, our bosses, our pets, our families, Season 8 of Game of Thrones are all part of the never-ending sources of anxieties in our lives.
And a restful sleep helps to relieve you of these. As we discussed, sleeping naked is a good way to get a night of more restful sleep – quality and quantity.
It’s therefore fair to say since sleeping naked improves your sleep quality, it helps to eliminate the risks related to sleep deprivation or poor sleep. You eliminate stress-related risks like depression, insomnia, and anxiety.
9. Improves body image
Research shows that physical self-esteem builds on people’s views of their physical bodies including body image.
Poor body image also leads to stigmatization which isolates us from contributing to our society.
For women especially, the bodily changes strongly impact personality and confidence. One study found a direct relationship between body esteem and self-esteem in middle-aged women.
Sleeping naked makes us comfortable with our naked bodies. And this, in turn, builds confidence, self-esteem.
10. Fights diseases
One of the benefits of sleeping naked has to do it immunity. Let me explain.
According to one research, individuals who sleep less than six hours a night might be three times more likely to develop a condition which leads to diabetes and heart disease
Sleeping naked helps you sleep deeper and more quickly, and for longer hours too. All of this can help you fight the risk of heart diseases related to poor sleep.