An expert has provided insights into why sleeping without clothes might not be the best choice for staying cool during the night and suggested alternatives that could prove more effective.
While sleep is a precious aspect of life, achieving a comfortable night’s rest during the summer or during a heatwave can be quite the challenge.
Although many look forward to warm weather when it’s cold, attempting to sleep in hot, humid conditions can feel nearly impossible.
People often have their own methods for staying cool, but an expert cautions that sleeping naked might not be the most effective strategy.
Even if his advice doesn’t change your preference for baring it all at bedtime, he offers explanations for why you might still be struggling to get a good night’s sleep.
Julius Patrick, the lead Sleep Physiologist at Bupa’s Cromwell Hospital in the UK, discussed the challenges of sleeping in hot weather and offered alternative solutions to sleeping in the nude.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, he advised, “It can be tempting to sleep with no clothes on to keep yourself cool, but this may worsen your sleep.”
“When you sleep naked, sweat actually collects on the body and then remains there.”
Patrick suggested opting for light sleepwear, explaining how it could enhance your sleep quality.
He elaborated, “If you’re wearing light clothes to sleep in, it soaks up any sweat you have, which can cool you down.”
“No matter how hot it is when you drift off, remember your body temperature will drop during the night.”
In addition to his advice on sleepwear, Patrick shared simple strategies to improve sleep during humid conditions.
The sleep physiologist emphasized that while thick duvets are unnecessary in warm weather, covers should not be completely discarded.
He recommended keeping thin cotton sheets available to help absorb sweat.
Patrick also highlighted steps you can take before bedtime to lower your body temperature.
He advised, “A quick rinse before bed can help you cool down, and it doesn’t have to be a cold shower. Some people find a hot shower or bath can help as this drops the core body temperature, helping to promote faster and deeper sleep.”
Wishing you peaceful and comfortable nights during the warm weather.