Why You Should Try Sleeping Nude Tonight, According to Science

Hate it or love it, sleeping nude has some surprising benefits for your physical and mental health. Learn more about these benefits and practical tips to help you sleep comfortably in the nude.

January 17, 2025 · 11 min · 2176 words · Timothy Grant

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsDrawbacksScientific Perspective on Sleeping NudePersonal Experiences and OpinionsTips for Sleeping Nude

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Benefits

Drawbacks

Scientific Perspective on Sleeping Nude

Personal Experiences and Opinions

Tips for Sleeping Nude

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When you want a good night’s sleep, you do a few things. You might brew yourself a cup of chamomile tea, limit your screen time before bed, fluff your pillows, and fiddle with the thermostat until your room’s temperature isjustright.

If you’re among the many people with rows and rows of pajamas in their closets, sleeping in the nude is probably the last thing on your mind whenlooking for quality sleep.However, many claim sleeping in your birthday suit isn’t just comfortable; it may even have certain health benefits. Others shy away from doing so either because of personal or cultural preferences.

But what does science say about sleeping in the nude, and should you be getting rid of your favorite sleepwear anytime soon? Here, we explore both the benefits and drawbacks of sleeping naked, allowing you to answer this question for yourself.

Benefits of Sleeping Nude

Sleeping nude has many benefits. Some of the most compelling include:

Better Sleep Quality

Sleeping nude might do more for yoursleep qualitythan you think. When you go to bed without clothes, your body can regulate its temperature more effectively.This optimal temperature regulation makes you sleep quicker and have deeper sleep cycles.

According to sleep experts, cooler temperatures allow you to have a more restful night, and losing your PJs might be a simple way to achieve this.

Healthier Skin

Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Sleeping nude can also have psychological benefits. Sleeping without clothes gives you a sense of freedom, which can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed,reducing stress and anxiety.Some studies suggest that this form of physical freedom can boost the release of growth hormones and reduce cortisol levels, a stress-related hormone.

Improved Body Temperature Regulation

When you sleep without clothes, you’re able to maintain a lower body temperature throughout the night, which may not only improve sleep quality but also offer long-term health benefits. Some research indicates that cooler sleep can contribute to better metabolic health and reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.

Sleeping nude offers several benefits, including better thermoregulation and enhanced sleep quality. By reducing the layers of clothing, the body can maintain a cooler temperature, which is optimal for sleep. A cooler sleep environment helps lower the risk of insomnia and promotes deeper sleep cycles, saysChelsey Borson, an experienced sleep coach, sleep expert, and founder of Luna Leaps.

By reducing the layers of clothing, the body can maintain a cooler temperature, which is optimal for sleep. A cooler sleep environment helps lower the risk of insomnia and promotes deeper sleep cycles.—CHELSEY BORSON, SLEEP COACH AND EXPERT

By reducing the layers of clothing, the body can maintain a cooler temperature, which is optimal for sleep. A cooler sleep environment helps lower the risk of insomnia and promotes deeper sleep cycles.

—CHELSEY BORSON, SLEEP COACH AND EXPERT

Why Am I Naked in My Dreams Sometimes?

Drawbacks of Sleeping Nude

Despite its positive claims, sleeping nude isn’t without certain drawbacks. A few which have been reported are:

Potential Discomfort

While many find sleeping nude comfortable, it isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer to be warm and protected while they sleep, making sleeping without clothes uncomfortable. They may alsofeel vulnerable or exposed, which is unlikely to allow them to have a good night’s rest.

Hygiene and Cleanliness

If you sleep nude, you also have to consider some hygiene considerations. Without clothes, sweat and dead skin cells come into more direct contact with your sheets, which means you need to change and wash them more frequently. If you’re living with health issues like incontinence or night sweats, clothes also provide an essential layer of protection.

Cultural norms and personal upbringingcan heavily influence one’s comfort with sleeping naked. In some cultures, sleeping without clothes is frowned upon, and even in private, people may feel an entrenched modesty that makes them uncomfortable with the idea. Also, those living with family or in shared accommodation may find it impractical or inappropriate to sleep naked as they’re in shared spaces, and there is always the potential to be walked in on.

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Temperature Sensitivity

Although sleeping naked can help cool down, it might be uncomfortable in colder climates or during winter months. Maintaining body warmth is also difficult when it’s colder, which can disrupt your sleep, making it necessary to sleep in a well-heated environment, which might not be available or economically viable for everyone.

Many people who like to sleep naked may not realize it has positive physiological effects. Research shows that your body’s core temperature needs to drop slightly for you to sleep comfortably and stay asleep throughout the night.

Sleeping naked can help encourage this natural drop in temperature. A study published in theJournal of Physiological Anthropologyfound that removing layers of clothing can significantly improve thermoregulation as you sleep, potentially leading to better sleep quality and efficiency.

Thebody’s stress-response systemis highly reactive to temperature. Sleeping in cooler conditions, which being nude helps with, can help keep your cortisol levels lower at night. Lower cortisol levels are associated with less anxiety, reduced stress, and better mental health. Research has linked lower nighttime cortisol levels with better mood and cognitive function when you wake.

Sleeping cooler can also promote the release of growth hormones, which play a role in tissue repair and regeneration. This has implications for skin health, as these hormones help rejuvenate the skin and repair damage from environmental factors like UV rays and pollution. A 2020 study showed that your skin recovers from blemishes better, and there are reduced signs of aging when you sleep better.

From a scientific and psychological perspective, sleeping nude can positively impact mental health. It can increase levels of oxytocin, reduce stress, and boost self-confidence. Yet, it’s crucial to consider personal comfort and cultural norms, as discomfort can negate these psychological benefits, says Borson.

Most people who sleep naked simply do so as a personal preference. However, people’s experiences of sleeping naked can vary widely. Some people who prefer to sleep naked report better sleep quality. Lynn, 34, is one such person: “I started sleeping nude a few years ago just for the fun of it, and I believe it helped with my insomnia. I fell asleep faster than before and woke up more refreshed. There’s also an unexpected sense of freedom that comes with it, which I really enjoy.”

Kevin, 29, shares Lynn’s sentiments: “Since I began sleeping sans clothes, I’ve noticed I feel much better about my body. I only realized after doing it for a few weeks that I only saw myself naked while taking a shower before then. It feels empowering to embrace my body in such a natural state now.”

However, sleeping in the nude isn’t for everyone, and Sarah, 32, can’t fathom it: “I don’t care if there are health benefits. I currently sleep just fine and can’t imagine sleeping without clothes for any reason. I’ll feel too exposed. The best I can do is a light tee and underwear.” David, 36, points out a practical concern: “I actually don’t mind sleeping without clothes; I did it a lot when I was younger. Now I’m married and have ahouse full of kids. Not only does my partner prefer I sleep with clothes, but I worry about needing to get up suddenly at night to attend to an emergency in nothing but my birthday suit.”

Some people have found a middle ground to fit their needs. Malia, 28, adjusts her preferences to match the weather: “I sleep nude in the summer or when I’m back in my home country, which is tropical. But when winter rolls around, I switch back to pajamas.”

If you’re considering sleeping nude or already do so and want to improve your experience, here are some practical tips to ensure you’re comfortable and your privacy is protected:

If you are interested in trying this, ensure your bedroom is private and secure. Choose bedding that feels comfortable against your skin, and consider a sleep-friendly environment that maintains a cool temperature throughout the night, Borson adds.

Takeaways

While some people just prefer to sleep in the nude, some research suggests that doing so has many benefits for your physical and mental health. It can improve sleep quality and skin health, reduce stress, and possibly even improve metabolic function.

However, it is crucial to stack these benefits against potential drawbacks such as personal comfort, hygiene concerns, and cultural considerations. What works for a friend may not be ideal for you, and personal comfort and safety should always come first.

While sleeping nude isn’t for everyone, Borson concludes that it can be beneficial for those who find comfort in it and can manage the practical considerations. As with any new habit, it’s about finding what works best for you and adapting as necessary to fit your lifestyle.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harding EC, Franks NP, Wisden W.The temperature dependence of sleep.Front Neurosci. 2019;13:336.National Institutes of Health.Acne breakouts.Vakili H, Jin Y, Cattini PA.Evidence for a circadian effect on the reduction of human growth hormone gene expression in response to excess caloric intake.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2016;291(26):13823-13833.Cedars-Sinai.The Healthy: Sleeping in a Room With This Temperature Could Boost Your Metabolism.Okamoto-Mizuno K, Mizuno K.Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012;31(1):14.Pulopulos MM, Hidalgo V, Puig-Perez S, Montoliu T, Salvador A.Relationship between cortisol changes during the night and subjective and objective sleep quality in healthy older people.IJERPH. 2020;17(4):1264.CLATICI VG, RACOCEANU D, DALLE C, et al.Perceived age and life style. The specific contributions of seven factors involved in health and beauty.Maedica(Bucur). 2017;12(3):191-201.National Institutes of Health (NIH).Cool temperature alters human fat and metabolism.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harding EC, Franks NP, Wisden W.The temperature dependence of sleep.Front Neurosci. 2019;13:336.National Institutes of Health.Acne breakouts.Vakili H, Jin Y, Cattini PA.Evidence for a circadian effect on the reduction of human growth hormone gene expression in response to excess caloric intake.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2016;291(26):13823-13833.Cedars-Sinai.The Healthy: Sleeping in a Room With This Temperature Could Boost Your Metabolism.Okamoto-Mizuno K, Mizuno K.Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012;31(1):14.Pulopulos MM, Hidalgo V, Puig-Perez S, Montoliu T, Salvador A.Relationship between cortisol changes during the night and subjective and objective sleep quality in healthy older people.IJERPH. 2020;17(4):1264.CLATICI VG, RACOCEANU D, DALLE C, et al.Perceived age and life style. The specific contributions of seven factors involved in health and beauty.Maedica(Bucur). 2017;12(3):191-201.National Institutes of Health (NIH).Cool temperature alters human fat and metabolism.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Harding EC, Franks NP, Wisden W.The temperature dependence of sleep.Front Neurosci. 2019;13:336.National Institutes of Health.Acne breakouts.Vakili H, Jin Y, Cattini PA.Evidence for a circadian effect on the reduction of human growth hormone gene expression in response to excess caloric intake.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2016;291(26):13823-13833.Cedars-Sinai.The Healthy: Sleeping in a Room With This Temperature Could Boost Your Metabolism.Okamoto-Mizuno K, Mizuno K.Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012;31(1):14.Pulopulos MM, Hidalgo V, Puig-Perez S, Montoliu T, Salvador A.Relationship between cortisol changes during the night and subjective and objective sleep quality in healthy older people.IJERPH. 2020;17(4):1264.CLATICI VG, RACOCEANU D, DALLE C, et al.Perceived age and life style. The specific contributions of seven factors involved in health and beauty.Maedica(Bucur). 2017;12(3):191-201.National Institutes of Health (NIH).Cool temperature alters human fat and metabolism.

Harding EC, Franks NP, Wisden W.The temperature dependence of sleep.Front Neurosci. 2019;13:336.

National Institutes of Health.Acne breakouts.

Vakili H, Jin Y, Cattini PA.Evidence for a circadian effect on the reduction of human growth hormone gene expression in response to excess caloric intake.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2016;291(26):13823-13833.

Cedars-Sinai.The Healthy: Sleeping in a Room With This Temperature Could Boost Your Metabolism.

Okamoto-Mizuno K, Mizuno K.Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012;31(1):14.

Pulopulos MM, Hidalgo V, Puig-Perez S, Montoliu T, Salvador A.Relationship between cortisol changes during the night and subjective and objective sleep quality in healthy older people.IJERPH. 2020;17(4):1264.

CLATICI VG, RACOCEANU D, DALLE C, et al.Perceived age and life style. The specific contributions of seven factors involved in health and beauty.Maedica(Bucur). 2017;12(3):191-201.

National Institutes of Health (NIH).Cool temperature alters human fat and metabolism.

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