Au naturel, in your birthday suit, in the buff, commando, disrobed, stripped – whatever you want to call it, research shows that not only can sleeping in the nude could lead to a deeper, more restful sleep, better health “down there” but not only that – it can also lead to a better sex life for couples.
What are the health benefits of sleeping naked?
1. Better quality sleep.
Your body temperature plays a pivotal role when it comes to the quality of your sleep. A previous study revealed that some types of insomnia can actually be caused by poor body temperature adjustment during sleep. “Your body temp progressively declines as you sleep, which is a natural tendency of the body, so being too warm with heavy PJs and blankets can disrupt that,” says Dr Lisa Shives from the National Sleep Foundation’s board of directors.
Lowering your skin temperature at night increases the depth of your sleep and reduces the number of times you wake up in the night. When your skin is cool from not wearing anything, it’ll be easier for your body to drift into – and stay in – a quality sleep.
2. Anti-ageing benefits
There’s truth to the idea of ‘beauty sleep’ as your body needs to sleep to regenerate and reset. Poor quality sleep interferes with the release of melatonin and growth hormone. “As your body temperature drops, growth hormone is released and works its regenerative magic,” says Natasha Turner, author of The Hormone Diet. Your hormones are working their magic on you while you sleep so the more quality sleep you’re getting the more youthful and fresh your hair, skin and body will feel.
3. Boosts your metabolism
A number of different studies have proven that sleeping in a cooler environment helps the body to produce healthy fats which burn calories to help generate body heat. So basically you’re losing weight while you sleep.
What are the health benefits for women?
It’s also believed sleeping naked is healthy for your vagina. By ditching the undies or pjs you’re providing your lady bits some much-needed aeration, which they require to stay dry and healthy. And, as we all know, a healthy vagina is a happy one.
What about the health benefits for the men?
For men, keeping the testes cooler keeps the sperm healthy and the reproductive systems functioning normally, which is why the testes are located outside of the body in the first place. Tight briefs heat up the testes and lower the sperm count.
Are there any lifestyle benefits to sleeping naked?
So much in life comes down to the quality of your sleep, after a good night’s sleep you’re more likely to wake up feeling fresh and motivated to exercise, eat healthily and tackle the day.
And there’s no denying that stripping down on a hot summers night to keep cool will save you money on air conditioning – however, in winter you might have to find someone to share body warmth with (which FYI will then turn sleeping naked into another benefit)
Is sleeping naked be better for couples?
This ones a no brainer really. With our lives getting busier and busier, sex (especially in long-term couples) can fall down the to-do list, but sliding into bed together when you’re both already in the buff is definitely an invitation to get intimate. Skin-to-skin contact increases oxytocin in your brain, which even if it doesn’t always lead to a romp sesh, helps increase romantic intimacy.
RELATED: Why Do Some Couples Have More Sex Than Others
Are there any dangers or risks to sleeping in the nude?
Sleeping naked is only really a problem if you’re a sleepwalker (and even then probably only if you’ve got flatmates – or forget to close the blinds).
But in case there’s an emergency and you need to evacuate in a rush, it’s probably not a bad idea to keep some clothes or pyjamas close by, just in case.
Celebrities who sleep naked?
Need further convincing, these A-list stars swear by sleeping naked.
Iconic Hollywood actress once famously said, “Chanel No.5.” when asked what she wore to bed and Aussie supermodel Miranda Kerr says “I love nudity”.
Other celebrity fans include Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Rihanna to name a few.
