Sleeping is essential. Some people love to sleep wrapped up in big comfy pyjamas, wearing a sweater and socks. In other words, they like to wear their whole closet to bed. However, research shows that sleeping with clothes on is not necessarily the best solution. Indeed, whether it's raining, windy, hot, or cold, you should always sleep naked. But why? There are several explanations for taking off your clothes to slip into the arms of Morpheus, here are some of them.
Discover our latest podcast
A lower body temperature
The first reason? According to a study, sleeping naked reportedly lowers your body temperature, which allows you to go into deeper stages of sleep, which are more restful. According to an Australian study, lowering your body temperature helps you get into a healthier sleep pattern.
Heat impacts men's fertility
Another reason to sleep naked: it can help you lose weight. Wearing your birthday suit changes the body fat composition in men, reducing white fat (associated with obesity) and increasing brown fat, which burns energy to create heat.
But that's not all. If you sleep in boxers, take them off from now on. Boxers warm up the temperature of the testicles and strongly impacts fertility (not in a positive way).
If you are a woman, sleeping in your underwear increases the moisture and temperature of your genitalia. So let it breathe, it can help you avoid infections such as fungus, for example. You now know what you have to do!
Read more:Reproductive crisis looms as sperm count drops, according to study
Sleeping naked improves your mental health
Sleeping naked leads to better sleep, which will then lead to better physical and mental health. Insomnia can lead to mental disorders if it lasts in time. The National Library of Medicine reports that 90% of patients with MDD (major depressive disorder) have difficulty sleeping. Sleep deprivation and depression go hand in hand; one can lead to the other and vice versa. Addressing the mental problems means addressing the sleep problems too. Both can be avoided when taken care of, by a medical professional.
Read more:Seasonal depression ruining your sex drive? These tips will help you revive your libido
An aid to lose weight
When you start a diet and sports program, there are three factors to take into account. A good diet, regular exercise and plenty of rest. Sleeping better remains an essential part if you want to lose weight while gaining some muscle. As reported by Health Digest, which echoes a study published in the journal Plos Medicine:
People who don't get much sleep tend to have lower levels of leptin and higher levels of ghrelin, which increases appetite. Getting more sleep can help you control cravings, reduce your appetite and boost your metabolism.
It is therefore in your best interest to put everything aside during your sleep phase and take it all out!
Less clothes, more sex?
There is another consequence to sleeping naked, and this one impacts couples who sleep in the same bed. For them, it is reported that sexual intercourse is more recurrent if they both sleep naked. Wearing less clothing encourages closeness, and increases desire for the other person. This leads to what Dr. Michael J. Breus in Psychology Today calls 'spontaneous sex'. This would then be a natural stress reliever and mild painkiller.
Read more:Sexual health: There are two types of penises and one has this special ability
This article has been translated from Gentside FR.
Sources used:
NHS: Where to get urgent help for mental health
National Library of Medicine: Sleep and depression
HealthDigest: Surprising Things That Happen When You Start Sleeping Naked
PsychologyToday: Why You Should Be Sleeping in the Nude