5 Ways Sleeping Naked Can Backfire on Your Health

Skipping pajamas is a trend. According to research from online mattress company Casper, 28.5% of Americans surveyed said they sleep naked daily, weekly, monthly or occasionally. The remaining 71.5% said they never go to bed without clothes.

Going to bed naked this summer might not be as cool as you think.

Obviously, sleeping naked isn’t uncommon, but you might be surprised to learn that it’s not always the best choice. As with any trend, there are downsides to be aware of, especially if you tend to sweat or have sensitive skin. Here, we’ll explain why you might want to reconsider your bed clothes and step out in your pajamas this summer.

Also discover how to sleep cool without air conditioning and which sleep accessories we use best to beat the heat.

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Sleep Naked

When it’s blazing hot outside, sleeping naked might seem like a great way to cool down. While it can certainly provide relief in the moment, here are some things to keep in mind before you strip down this summer.

Read more: Best mattress

Hygiene concerns

Every night, your sheets, pillows, and mattress collect dust, oil, dead skin, and sweat (which is why it’s important to clean them regularly). You can’t prevent this, but you may be able to slow it down by wearing clothes to bed instead of sleeping naked.

Do you need another reason to cover up at night in terms of hygiene? According to Doctor Anthony YounAccording to Youn, a plastic surgeon based in Michigan, the average person farts up to 25 times a day, and if it happens at night, the excreted fecal matter can end up on your sheets. Wearing underwear, he says, can help prevent those particles from spreading to your bed. (One important caveat: Youn notes that gynecologists sometimes advise women to sleep without underwear for their vaginal health. If that applies to you, be sure to follow your doctor’s advice.)

Regardless of your nightwear preferences, you’ll want to wash your bedding at least every other week. If you sleep naked, it’s better to change your sheets weeklyYou can also shower at night to keep your bed cleaner, but make sure you dry your hair first, otherwise mold and bacteria can grow on your pillow.

It’s also essential to take good care of your mattress, especially if you sleep naked. This means vacuuming and scrubbing it thoroughly twice a year, and replacing it about every ten years.

Temperature

You might think that sleeping in your birthday suit would keep you cooler, but it can actually be counterproductive. Wearing a lightweight, breathable pair of pajamas to bed can help wick and absorb moisture. When you sleep naked, your moisture has nowhere to go except to your sheets and mattress when you sweat, creating a damp and uncomfortable sleeping surface.

Allergies and sensitivities

When you sleep naked, there’s no barrier between your body and your bedding, which can lead to a faster buildup of things like dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. This isn’t just gross; it can actually cause health problems if you have certain allergies or sensitive skin. Here’s why.

While you sleep, your body sheds dead skin cells, which attract dust mites that then feed on this dead skin. If you have any of the 20 million Americans who are allergic to these mites, you may notice symptoms such as congestion, coughing and sneezing.

Also, depending on your bedding, sleeping with your skin directly against your sheets can lead to unpleasant side effects such as rashes and irritation. Sleeping naked on certain types of sheets (such as sheets made of polyester or other synthetic materials) is not recommended if you have conditions such as eczema or PsoriasisInstead, experts recommend opting for breathable, natural fabrics (such as cotton and silk).

Difficulty falling asleep

For some people, being naked can feel uncomfortable and unnatural. If you go to bed naked, but being naked is not comfortable for you, it can be difficult to fall asleep. As a result, the quality of your sleep can decrease, which can lead to irritability, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.

Going to bed in uncomfortable clothing can also cause you to have trouble sleeping. When choosing bed clothes, choose something that makes you feel comfortable, whether it’s an old t-shirt, matching pajamas, or a nightgown.

External factors and exposure

In addition to the hygienic and health risks of sleeping naked, there are also other practical issues to consider. First, clothing can also act as a protective barrier against hungry spiders and insects. It may not completely prevent you from getting bitten, but it does provide an extra layer of defense.

On the other hand, going to bed naked can put you in some awkward situations if you have roommates, live with your children or parents, travel often, or sleepwalk. For example, it can get awkward if you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and unexpectedly bump into someone else in the hallway.

Worse yet, if there is an emergency, you may not have time to get dressed before taking action. This can be potentially inconvenient or embarrassing, especially if you have to evacuate your home due to a fire or other unexpected situation.

Too long; didn’t read

Going to bed naked may not put you at risk of serious, life-threatening health problems, but it’s worth thinking about the risks that come with sleeping naked. Importantly, sleeping without clothes can increase the build-up of dirt and dust mites, which can trigger allergies and make your bed a less hygienic place to sleep.

Ultimately, the decision of what to wear to bed is a personal one. If you feel more comfortable sleeping without clothes, there is no harm in continuing to do so, but you should try to change your sheets every week to keep them free of dirt, dust, sweat, and other nasty bedfellows.