10 Benefits of Sleeping Naked

When it comes to sleep, have you ever wondered, “Should I sleep naked?” It might seem strange to those who see pyjamas as an essential part of bedtime, but sleeping naked is actually a popular choice among Brits.

In fact, our UK Sleep Survey found that nearly a fifth (19%) of the nation prefers to sleep without clothes. This shows that, for some, it’s the secret to a better night’s rest – and just one of many reasons why you might want to consider sleeping naked.

Below, we’ll explore why sleeping naked can be good for you, along with any potential risks that may come with going nude at night.

There are many things we’re willing to try in our pursuit of a good night’s sleep – from cutting out caffeine to changing our diets. But researchers at the University of Amsterdam have found that one of the best ways to ensure high-quality sleep is by lowering your skin temperature. This means that sleeping naked can not only help you fall asleep faster, but also make you less likely to wake up during the night.

Chances are, you’ve woken up at some point feeling uncomfortably hot and had to kick off the quilt to cool down. If that sounds familiar, an easy way to stay cool is to simply sleep without pyjamas. Heavy quilts may also be to blame, as they trap heat and aren’t ideal for restful sleep.

Yes, you read that right. Sleeping naked will help your body stay cool, which in turn keeps your skin healthy. As we all know, trying to sleep in a warm room (above 21 degrees Celsius) can be a tough and uncomfortable challenge. That warmth disrupts the release of anti-ageing hormones, in particular, melatonin.

If your body is too warm when you sleep, the production of melatonin and other growth hormones is reduced. These hormones are important for keeping you looking as fresh and youthful. So, sleeping nude can help keep your body temperature low enough to keep those wrinkles at bay. What’s more, these growth hormones also help promote bone density, build muscle, repair tissue, lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease, and promote a healthy weight.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health found that sleeping naked and keeping yourself cool while sleeping encourages your body to create more brown fat. Brown fat helps to keep you warm by burning calories, which helps to boost your metabolism all day long. If you choose to sleep in clothes or sleep under heavy blankets, you’re preventing the release of the growth hormone IGF, which helps to repair bones, skin and muscles.

Sleeping naked can increase your overall sleep quality, which can reduce stress and anxiety. A 2020 study found that sleep disturbances and poor quality of rest can lead to being more irritable, making stress, anxiety and depression symptoms worsen.

But the benefits don’t stop there – higher oxytocin levels are also linked to lower blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and even improved immune function. Sharing this intimate bedtime habit can help couples feel more connected, deepen their emotional intimacy, and foster a stronger sense of wellbeing, both individually and together.

Sleeping naked can have health benefits for everyone. For women, it may help support intimate health by reducing moisture and allowing the skin to breathe overnight. This can create a more comfortable environment and may help prevent irritation often caused by tight-fitting sleepwear or synthetic fabrics.

For men, sleeping naked may support reproductive health. Research suggests that wearing looser clothing or sleeping without any at all can help maintain a cooler body temperature at night, which is considered beneficial for overall fertility and wellbeing. A cooler sleep environment can help the body function more optimally, particularly when it comes to hormonal and reproductive processes.

The high-quality sleep you may experience when sleeping naked could well lead to a normalisation of your hormone levels. It could also increase the release of growth hormone and melatonin, which, as stated before, have anti-ageing properties, help promote bone density, build muscle, repair tissue, and more.

Another benefit of sleeping naked is improving blood circulation, which is good news for your heart and muscles. Thanks to hormone regulation and sleep quality, sleeping naked can even lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Not really—though it does all depend on personal preference. One concern, raised in a viral TikTok video by Dr Anthony Youn, is more about hygiene than health. He notes that we naturally release gas during sleep, which may transfer bacteria onto our bedding.

That said, research suggests this poses little to no risk, so don’t be alarmed if you are considering snoozing in the nude. If you’re still unsure, sleeping in breathable underwear could offer you a comfortable middle ground – why not give it a go tonight? Even reducing the number of layers you wear can help support better rest.