Should you sleep naked? The health benefits of sleeping in the buff
Experts believe that, despite many people deciding to wear underwear in bed, sleeping naked might be the healthiest way to get some shut eye.
According to various medical experts, sleeping naked lets your skin breathe which could help avoid infections.
They even suggested that wearing underwear to sleep may cause “more harm than good”.
One of the authors of the book ‘V is for Vagina’, Dr Alyssa Dweck, told Shape that she often suggests that patients sleep in the nude.
The gynaecologist who works in hospitals in New York state, raised concerns in the interview.
She said: “If [the genitals are] constantly covered – especially by a fabric that’s not moisture-wicking or absorbent – moisture collects, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria or yeast.”
As well as opening up the body to infections, sleeping with clothes on could cause irritation and chafing, said Dr Dweck. She warned that people who suffer from hot flushes may be even more at risk.
Compromising on “granny panties”, the doctor said if anything is to be worn in bed, it should be loose-fitting and made of a breathable, natural material like cotton.
But the problem becomes potentially even worse for those with penises, as Dr Brian Steixner explained, that it can reduce sperm quality.
He said: “Your nether regions need to be just the right temperature in order to optimise sperm production.”
Going on, he added: “More bacteria makes for a higher likelihood that any chafed or irritated skin down there becomes infected.”
Added benefits include the cooling of the body, which can help reduce blood pressure.
But, possibly the creme de la creme to sleep nude, if you need more convincing, is the fact that being naked in bed is believed to improve your sex life.
A survey which asked 1,000 people about sleeping habits and sexual activity, found that 57 percent of those who sleep naked are happy in their relationship, compared to 47 percent of those who sleep in clothes.
It is believed that the reason could be that the hormone oxytocin is released when you have skin-on-skin contact with whoever you are sleeping with, which helps positive feelings in relationships.
And it can make you more interested in sex with whoever you share a bed with.
