Naked or with clothes: How is it more advisable to sleep?

The "normal" thing in our society is to sleep in pajamas, or at least with certain garments (old, usually) that fulfill that function.The mere idea of sleeping in complete nudity is, for many people, too exotic.

But that belief is above all a cultural issue: it is what we are used to.Someone might think that when sleeping naked could be cold, but that will not happen if you cover the appropriate blankets (and do not uncover during the night).

On the contrary, in recent years various scientific studies have found several potential benefits in the habit of sleeping without clothes.Some of the most important are listed below.

1. Help to sleep faster and better

This is the most notorious effect for many people: to bed without clothes helps them fall asleep faster and that the dream is more extensive and of higher quality.The reason this happens would be related to the self -regulation of body temperature.

When sleeping, the body temperature drops.Therefore, the most appropriate is that the room is around 18–22 ºC.Sleeping with clothes can give very hot and, consequently, making the sleep more difficult and provoke nocturnal awakenings, as explained by the National Sleep Foundation (FNS) of the United States.

However, the FNS also points out that, when sleeping naked or with little clothes, the body becomes more susceptible to variations in ambient temperature.Therefore, it is convenient to have a blanket near, just in case the room temperature will go down too much during the night.

2. Contributes metabolism and reduces the risk of diabetes

Sleeping cooler increases the activity of brown adipose tissue, a fatty tissue that burns energy precisely to produce heat and maintain the central temperature of the body.Its activity contributes a more effective elimination of glucose, according to a study by United States scientists in 2014.

In addition, the organism improves its sensitivity to insulin and burns calories (although in a very small amount, which does not represent any weight loss).The fact is that Franceso Celi, director of the aforementioned investigation, stressed that all these effects represent a reduction in the risk of diabetes.

3. Avoid vaginal infections

Vaginal candidiasis is a recurring problem in many women.Often, such infection is propitiated by an inadequate air circulation in the genital area, because of the use of underwear very tight or made with synthetic fabrics.

That is why FNS includes the best vaginal health as one of the advantages that women sleep naked (although, by the way, genital candidiasis can also affect men).

4. Improve semen quality

The quality of sperm is higher in men who sleep naked.Once again, the key is at temperature: some more degrees represent a risk.A study presented in 2015 revealed that, in men who slept without clothes, the risk of a fragmentation in the DNA of their semen was 25% lower.

The director of the research, Katherine Sapra, scientist at Weill Cornell Medical College, in New York, also added that "better sperm quality parameters are observed in men who during the day use boxer type underpants" and not adjusted slips.Subsequent works confirmed these results.

5. Promote connection in the couple

For those who sleep accompanied the benefits multiply.Sleeping naked favors skin -to -skin contact, which in turn makes the body secregate oxytocin, the so -called hormone "of love", due to the role it plays in the welfare and intimacy of the couple.

Oxytocin also contributes to the decrease in blood voltage, stimulates the immune system and reduces stress and anxiety.And, of course, skin contact with skin is an incentive for desire and sexual intercourse.

6. Strengthens self -esteem

Being almost all the time with clothing makes many people have a distant relationship - and often conflicting - with their body image.Recent studies have come to the conclusion that spending naked time is associated with a higher self -esteem, a perception of the most positive body itself and, in general, greater satisfaction with life.

Much more who are with someone: a work published last year points out that if a person spends bare time next to another experiences an improvement in how he perceives his own image.The result was lower anxiety indices and greater general well -being.

Sleeping with clothes is not a problem

Beyond the benefits that sleeping without clothes can have on many people, the FNS emphasizes that the main objective is to have a healthy dream: of good quality and the recommended duration (adults, between seven and nine hours a day).

Those who do not feel comfortable getting naked in bed should not worry, of course, it is not a problem doing so.At most, they will not be able to enjoy the benefits mentioned above.But it does not imply anything seriously.

In any case, they can try to do it with natural fabrics garments (such as cotton, wool or silk).These fibers contribute to body thermoregulation and sleep quality in a much more effective way than synthetic fabrics, as a 2019 study corroborated.

Tips for those who wish to start sleeping naked

Before making the decision to start sleeping naked, the FNS recommends ensuring a good amount of sheets (since it is likely to change them more frequently) and that in the room at night there are no too sharp temperature changes.

The FNS also points out that it may be appropriate to acquire the routine of showering or bathing before going to bed, to extend the time of use of the sheets between each wash and the next.And add some recommendations to start:

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