Now that summer is finally on its way, research reveals why ditching your pyjamas before bed could be more beneficial than you think.
In the summer months, the average household temperature in the UK rises to 20 degrees. With this in mind, online furniture retailer, Furniture Choice, polled the British public to find out how this could affect their sleeping habits, revealing that one in four (23%) Brits already choose to sleep in the nude, which doctors claim can result in significant health benefits.
The study also found that 40% of Brits don’t generally have a good night’s sleep, with nearly a quarter (24%) stating they only get six hours of sleep a night – despite the recommendation being between 7 and 9 hours.
But the sleep issues don’t stop there, as over a third (36%) reported waking up in the morning feeling tired, with a sore back (32%) and a sore neck (27%).
Room for improvement?
Firstly, your bedroom should be a cool, dark, quiet environment, where you feel comfortable, restful and calm. Start by decluttering – clear out any unnecessary items and invest in storage options such as an Ottoman trunk or a bed with under-bed drawers.
Bedrooms that double up as home offices are not the best idea. Not only do you have the constant reminder of work but any paperwork is likely to attract dust.
Are you cool?
Dr Sarah Brewer, a general practitioner, explains that staying cool and sleeping in the nude may not cure those aches and pains, but it does have other significant health benefits to consider, especially during the summer months: “Sleeping naked means that your body remains cooler during the night, which is important as overheating is a common cause of disturbed sleep.
“Being over-hot in bed by even 3-4 degrees changes brain-wave patterns, reduces the amount of time you spend in REM sleep, increases the chances of waking up and reduces deep sleep.”
Dr Brewer explains that there are five key benefits of sleeping naked:
Aids weight loss
If sleep is disrupted from being too warm, your body produces more cortisol than usual, leading to an increased appetite.
Improves skin problems
Overheating at night can worsen many skin conditions, such as eczema, so sleeping naked can help prevent this.
In fact, our friends as SleepWell Milk point out that the concept of ‘beauty sleep’ isn’t a myth. During the day skin cells are in defence mode constantly working to protect themselves from UV exposure and free radical damage. At night, the skin switches to repair mode. Sleep is essential for repairing, regenerating and restructuring the skin so it’s ready to face the day ahead (no pun intended!). Lack of sleep also causes cortisol, the stress hormone, to be released which in turn encourages inflammation in the skin, causing flare-ups.
Reduces risk of fungal skin infections
Candida yeast cells change from the superficial ‘harmless’ cell form, to invading threat form, when conditions are warm and moist. Sleeping naked and airing areas susceptible to thrush can lead to fewer recurrent Candida infections.
Improves relationships with significant other
Sleeping naked gives a sense of freedom and may help couples feel more loving. Humans are highly-tuned to the sight of bare skin, which acts as a signal for arousal.
Improves male fertility
Testosterone hormone is secreted at night and rises in certain stages of sleep. If a man feels too hot and his sleep is disturbed as a result, his testosterone production may be reduced. Sleeping naked helps to promote a healthier sleep pattern, so normal testosterone production occurs.
Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture Choice, said: “It’s surprising to see how many people aren’t currently getting a good sleep every night. Our bodies repair themselves during sleep so a good night’s rest is crucial to a happy and healthy life. If thinking more about your bedroom attire, or lack thereof, is one way of fixing your sleeping pattern this summer, we think it’s definitely worth trying for those struggling to get some shut-eye.
“Staying away from blue-screen light a couple of hours before bed, and taking a bath, are also great ways to prepare our bodies for going to sleep. It’s also important to have a mattress and pillows that are designed to your requirements, ensuring you have a comfortable night’s sleep. Take a look at our sleep guide to get the most out of bedtime.”
To find out even more about how to improve your night’s sleep with the correct mattress choice, click here.
Please note that Furniture and Choice do not currently deliver directly to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, although there are options available such as Ship2me.
