The surprising health perks of sleeping nude

Tonight before you slip into bed, be sure to also slip into your birthday suit – you know, as in sleeping naked.  If sleeping without a stitch of clothing on is brand new to you, you’re not alone.  Roughly, only about 10-12 percent of Americans do sleep in the buff according to the National Sleep Foundation.  But that should change as nighttime nudity can be good to your health.  Experts say sleeping naked is a good idea for both physical and emotional health. 

So put away the cozy flannel nightgown and the oversized t-shirt. It’s time to get naked under the covers all night long sleeping your way to good health – here’s why:

·      You’ll wake up more refreshed

When we sleep our body temperature naturally declines during the night and then when morning arrives it begins to rise again.  Wearing clothing though can interfere with this natural fluctuation.  Being garbed in extra clothing can lead to becoming overly warm resulting in tossing and turning waking up sweaty in the middle of the night.  By nixing the PJs, this allows your body temperature to ebb and flow uninterrupted.

·      Women’s lady parts get a chance to breathe

Many women view sleeping au natural as being unsanitary.  However, the always present bacteria in the vagina thrive in moist, warm environments, especially in women prone to vaginal infections.  By ventilating the vagina you are doing it a favor increasing its ability to stay dry reducing the probability of a fungal or yeast infection. 

·      Men will protect their sperm

Going commando for a man is probably a little more natural for men than women and that is particularly good for his sperm.  The scrotum needs to be at just the right temperature in order to optimize sperm production.  That perfect temperature is right between 95 to 96 degrees which is slightly cooler than the rest of the body – this is why the testicles inside the scrotum are outside the body as they need to be cooler than the temperature inside the body in order to make sperm.  If the testicles become too warm, sperm quality suffers. 

·      Men will also be protecting their testicles

Guys, drop the drawers before getting into bed.  This helps prevent the odds of an infection.  Wearing underwear will only trap moisture and heat which bacteria require to grow and multiple.  The more bacteria present the higher likelihood of any skin that is irritated or chafed could become infected.

·      You’ll look years younger

There’s a reason why they call it “beauty sleep.”  Want to wake up each morning with a youthful glow – get into your birthday suit each night.  When we sleep in the nude keeping the room temperature no higher than 70 degrees, it helps release the anti-aging hormones of melatonin and growth hormones.  These hormones work better at lower temperatures allowing the body to regenerate resulting in improved hair and skin.  A room that is too hot does not allow the body to naturally cool itself which disrupts the release of these hormones.  Also make sure the room is as dark as possible as complete darkness stimulates the release of melatonin. 

·      Promotes weight loss

Stress is one factor that can trigger the development of belly fat.  But getting a good night’s sleep in the raw can correct our hormone levels during the night.  During the night, the production of growth hormone increases while cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases.  Between 10 pm and 2 am is when cortisol should be at its lowest but then when morning arrives, the levels will have increased.  However, without a good night’s rest, cortisol levels can be abnormally high triggering our appetite for comfort foods leading to overeating.

·      Promotes better immune health

When we sleep with someone else who is also naked, it should result in more skin-on-skin contract. This can reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol suppressing immune response.  It can also increase oxytocin which is good for stabilizing blood pressure and promoting healing.

·      Better bonding with your partner

Sleeping nude with someone who is also nude releases more of the “love hormone” oxytocin.  Lots of skin-on-skin contact throughout the night increases bonding, satisfaction and emotional closeness in relationships. 

·      Builds confidence and self-esteem

Ever feel unconfident?  Get naked at night.  Sleeping naked makes you feel more comfortable in your own skin increasing your self-esteem and confidence.