PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Social Psychology Political Psychology Donald Trump

What to sleep better? Try sleeping naked

by Denise Schipani, Van Winkle's
October 4, 2015
in Donald Trump, Mental Health
Photo credit: Eric Smith

Photo credit: Eric Smith

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This will come as unwelcome news for the pajama industry: The best suit to sleep in, scientifically speaking, is the one you were born in. Still, only about eight percent of Americans routinely sleep in the buff.

If you’re accustomed to donning the plaid flannels or buttoning that granny nightgown up to the neck, listen up: Gettin’ nekkid between the sheets is healthier.

Here’s why:

You’ll sleep better.

When you doze off, your body temperature dips and climbs before you wake up. Clothing can interfere with this natural fluctuation, says Men’s Health sleep advisor W. Christopher Winter, M.D. The extra layers at night can keep you warmed up when your temperature is meant to drop. And a cooler body equals better sleep.

If you’re tossing and turning, waking up a hot mess at 3 a.m.? It’s probably not from a nightmare that Donald Trump is your new president.

Naked sleepers are able to maintain a comfortable core temperature. Plus, if your body doesn’t cool down enough at night, you’ll be unable to reach the deeper, most restorative stages of sleep. Interestingly, during REM sleep our bodies don’t sweat or shiver — so shedding the jammies probably won’t have you scooching under the blankets. Just sleeping more soundly.

You’ll have more sex.

Without clothing barriers, bodies that go bump in the night are more likely to seal the deal. That’s just common sense.

But even if there’s no happy ending (or you’re not trying for a baby bump), naked cuddling is good for you and your relationship. Skin-on-skin contact triggers the release of oxytocin, the “feel good hormone.”

Oxytocin is known to relieve stress, alleviate depression, foster intimacy and even lower blood pressure. And both Big O’s work almost as well as a sleeping pill.

You’ll air out your hoo-ha.

If you’ve got one of those, that is. (Men we’ll get to you in a moment.) Many women feel sleeping naked is unsanitary, but the reverse is actually true. Bacteria that can potentially cause vaginal infections thrive in a warm, moist environment. Better idea: Ventilate around the lady bits to discourage bacteria from flourishing.

As for you, guys — Brian Steixner, M.D., a urologist, tells Men’s Health that guys who sleep in their underwear “increase the odds that you’ll get an infection in the worst possible place.” Same as for women, drawers keep heat and moisture in, so bacteria can thrive, causing irritation and infection.

“Skip the skivvies to keep your balls clean, dry, and healthy,” he says. Plus, cooler temps are better for sperm production.

You’ll look better.

When you’re at a nice, cool sleeping temperature, in a deep, restorative stage of sleep, your body releases the anti-aging hormones, melatonin and growth hormone (HGH), which boost cell regeneration, and keep skin and hair looking healthy and young.

When you’re sleeping coolly and well, your body keeps the stress hormone, cortisol, in check. That’s a good thing: High cortisol levels may not only trigger an increase in insulin, it can decrease fat-burning and appetite-controlling hormones.

So, who knows? Maybe sleeping naked will help you stay slimmer.

This article originally published by Van Winkle’s, vanwinkles.com, the editorial division of Casper Sleep

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePinSend

Get all the latest updates on new psychology research with the free PsyPost app.
 


NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

Children who play more video games show greater gains in intelligence over time, study finds

Young children are more irritable when their mother has emotion regulation difficulties

Psychopathic women who desire marriage are more likely to experience insults from their partner

New study suggests that psychopathic individuals tend to become even worse after age 50

Optimism is associated with higher cognitive abilities, study finds

Brain imaging study suggests that drinking coffee enhances neurocognitive function

RECENT

Study sheds light on the neurocognitive processes linked to perceiving social injustice during arrests of Black civilians

Children who play more video games show greater gains in intelligence over time, study finds

Study finds contrapposto poses in male models influence perceptions of attractiveness and masculinity

Young children are more irritable when their mother has emotion regulation difficulties

Women who dress provocatively are judged negatively by other women due to perceptions of promiscuity

  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
Powered by

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • About
    • Newsletter signup form
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Contact
  • Contact us
  • My account
  • Privacy policy
  • Psychology news
  • PsyPost app privacy policy
  • Shop
  • SmartMag Home

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.