Ever wondered if sleeping in the buff has health benefits and does get you good sleep? Experts say that sleeping nude or naked, though an unconventional practice, can help improve sleep quality, regulate your body temperature, improve intimate health of couples and helps in weight management. Studies have also shown that sleeping naked in the winter leads to faster sleep onset and maintain a healthier metabolism in individuals. For people who prefer warmth, heated bedding options are available to make sleeping without clothes achievable, say experts.
In 2022, a sleep survey conducted in the United Kingdom highlighted the potential benefits of reconsidering sleeping in the buff. This survey was conducted with 15,000 UK adults and revealed that 20 percent of the respondents prefer sleeping naked. Interestingly, older age groups, not just younger ones, are embracing nudity while sleeping. Twenty-six percent of the survey participants were over 65 years of age and 17 percent were in the age bracket of 18–24-year-olds.
How does sleeping in the nude benefit us?
Body temperature regulation and prevention of infections in private parts of the body, could be some of the benefits of sleeping in the nude, says Dr Sunil Kumar K, lead consultant – interventional pulmonology, Aster CMI, Bangalore. “There cannot be any one-on-one recommendation to individuals, since scientific validation is still inadequate.”
On the other hand, Sammy Margo who is a chartered physiotherapist and sleep expert based in the UK in an email conversation with Happiest Health shared some interesting and lesser-known advantages of sleeping nude some of which have been agreed upon by the UK survey respondents.
Here is the list of the array of physical and emotional benefits of sleeping in the nude extending beyond the night:
1. Regulates body temperature
One of the notable benefits of sleeping naked is the effective regulation of the body temperature. Without the constraint of clothing, your body can better adapt to the temperature during the night time. This makes way for a more uninterrupted and comfortable sleep. This might as well indirectly bring down stress or tension in the body inculcating a sense of freedom.
2. Helps you fall asleep faster
Your body temperature plays a crucial role in the timing of your sleep. It is intricately linked to the circadian rhythm of an individual which is the internal clock regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Allowing your body to cool down by sleeping naked can signal to your body that it is time to sleep, aiding in faster onset of sleep.
3. Enhances sleep quality
Research suggests that sleeping in the nude can improve the quality of your sleep. When your body is allowed to cool down naturally during sleep, it promotes deeper and more restorative sleep cycles. This means you will wake up feeling more refreshed and energized, ready to tackle the day ahead.
4. Promotes skin health
Clothing can trap sweat and bacteria, leading to skin irritations and infections. Sleeping without clothes allows your skin to breathe, promoting air circulation. This naturally reduces the risk of skin infections, acne, and other dermatological issues. Moreover, it also promotes your genital health.
5. Promotes intimacy
For couples, sharing a bed without barriers can foster a stronger sense of intimacy and connection. Skin-to-skin contact releases oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” which promotes bonding and enhances feelings of physical closeness and emotional affection.
6. Helps manage weight
Believe it or not, sleeping naked could even aid in weight loss efforts. When your body is cooler during sleep, it activates brown fat, a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat. By encouraging the activation of brown fat, sleeping naked may contribute to a slight increase in metabolic rate and calorie expenditure.
7. Boosts self-confidence
Embracing your natural body and feeling comfortable in your own skin can help boost your self-confidence. A greater acceptance of your body image and appreciation of your physical appearance can have a positive overall impact on your well-being.
Sleeping naked is not new, says study
Sleeping without clothes in colder temperatures has its roots in the evolutionary history of primitive men. For instance, the study on Living Naked in the Cold published in Bioscience (2023) discusses how sleeping naked might have been possible for hundreds of years in three cultures discussed – the Bushmen of Southern Africa, the Australian Aboriginal people, the Yamana and the Alakaluf of Tierra del Fuego.
Existing in colder temperatures without clothes was made possible by these communities using means of fire to remain warm throughout the night. In the coldest weather, they found solutions by building larger fireplaces, sleeping near to the fireplace and adding fuel often not to let the fire go off due to the windy nights.
Takeaways
- Though sleeping in the buff might not seem easy and achievable, there are traces in the human history, which support how it can be made possible.
- Experts point out some surprising and lesser-known advantages of sleeping nude like improved sleep quality, temperature regulation, and weight management.
- Though not common in India, a UK survey revealed a fifth of the nation prefers to sleep in the nude, especially the elderly population owing to its benefits.
