Have you thought about what you wear every night to bed? You might want to! Like your bed and pillow, the clothes you wear to bed can affect how well you sleep. Yes! You might not want to pick your night dresses, such as pajamas, off the rack without giving them thoughtful consideration.
While pajamas might have been adopted widely by the Europeans, today, they are a go-to set of pants to sleep in worldwide. However, the texture and fabrics of your pajamas and nightshirts can impact your sleep significantly.
In this article, we talk all about the different types of bedtime clothes you should wear and avoid for a better night’s sleep. Hang in there because we also give a few bonus makeup-removing tips before bed (you’re welcome)!
How do Clothes Affect Your Sleep?
Whether you go to bed in traditional pajamas, a comfy T-shirt, or nothing at all depends on your age, season, or preference. But you might want to spend some time picking clothes for bedtime, just as you do every morning. Simply because your clothes are a great way to keep you healthy. But don’t take our word for it, here’s what research says about how your clothes affect sleep.
Most people will have better luck with natural fibers when they choose clothes for bed. Cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, and wool are all natural materials that let air in and remove moisture. They make it easier for your body to keep its temperature steady. Your core body temperature drops at night to help you get ready for sleep, so keeping it low is important.
Wearing tight clothes that make you sweat can throw off your body temperature and make it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep. For the same reason, bedspreads and mattresses that naturally keep you cool tend to be the best, especially if you sleep in hot weather conditions.
Choosing the Correct Fabrics and Sleep Accessories
While buying pajamas, think about their fit and how cool the fabric is. Loose clothing won’t feel constricting or tight, making it easy to move around. If your skin is sensitive, don’t wear clothes with tags, buttons, or snaps. Here are some of the best fabrics and sleep accessories that you should invest in, to sleep like a baby:
- Loose-Fitting Clothes: Generally, it’s better to sleep in loose clothes than tight clothes. This is because tight clothing cuts off circulation and doesn’t let much air in, making it easier for bacteria and fungi to grow. It can even stop the body from producing melatonin, the sleep hormone.
- Sleep Masks: If you are one of the people who sleep best when there is no light, you might want to get a sleep mask. These are made to block out lights you don’t want, such as a nightlight, car lights flashing on your window, or the light from your alarm clock. They also come in different styles and designs and are very comfortable.
- Socks: Good news for people who like to wear socks to bed – it has many benefits. Research shows that having warm feet can help you relax and fall asleep faster. This is because it can help lower your blood pressure and prepare your body for sleep.
Clothes to Keep You Warm in Bed
Here are some ideal clothes and fabrics that will keep you warm on a cold night:
- Flannel Pajamas: Flannel keeps you warm and cozy, making it a great choice for cold nights. It is also soft and lets air through.
- Linen: Pure linen pajamas are very soft and allow your skin to breathe. This fabric is also suitable for people who live in hot weather conditions because it keeps heat and moisture away.
- Cotton: Cotton is a preferred fabric for nightwear and it’s easy to see why. It is a light fabric, made of natural fiber and lets air through. According to a study, it allows airflow and doesn’t irritate your skin. Remember that cotton is not the best choice if you sweat at night because it doesn’t wick away moisture well.
Clothes to Keep You Cool in Bed
Instead of tossing and turning all night because you’re too hot, consider what you’re wearing to keep your body temperature stable. Here are some fabrics that can help:
- Silk: Silk works well to keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. Reports also show that silk absorbs moisture, which can be an excellent choice for people with hot flashes or night sweats. Although, real silk can be expensive and needs to be dry-cleaned, which is a drawback.
- Moisture-Wicking: Moisture-wicking nightwear is an excellent option if you run too hot or sweat a lot at night. When you wear clothes that wick away moisture, they pull water away from your skin. This helps speed up the water evaporating from your skin, which cools you down. Then, your body can keep itself at the right temperature.
- Bamboo: Bamboo is a great material for wicking away moisture. It feels smooth and silky when you touch it, just the thing you need from your sleepwear.
Clothing and Fabrics to Avoid While Sleeping
Are you sure you’re sleeping in the right clothes? Here are a few fabrics that you should avoid sleeping in:
- Wrinkle-Free Fabrics: If you move around at night, you might be tempted to buy night suits that don’t get wrinkled. However, if you have sensitive skin or allergies, these fabrics are not a good option.
- Low-Quality Fabrics: The higher the fabric quality, the more comfy your nightwear will be. For instance, high-quality cotton has a low thread count, which makes it softer and comfier. Fabrics like polyester, nylon, and spandex trap heat and moisture, making you feel hot and sticky. So if you live in warm weather conditions, you might want to avoid these fabrics.
- Tight-Fitting Clothes: Extra tight clothes can cut off the blood flow. Plus, sleeping in pajamas, boxers, or briefs with a tight elastic can also result in chafing and discomfort. All these things would end up impacting your sleep.
Should You Sleep Naked?
Even though you might not think of sleeping naked as a way to improve your health, some perks might be too good to pass up. Since it’s easy to try sleeping naked, it might be time to take off your clothes and sleep. That is, for your health. Here are some benefits of sleeping naked:
- Vaginal Health: Sleeping naked prevents vaginal infections. Such infections are often likelier when there isn’t enough airflow, usually caused by tight or synthetic underwear.
- Fall Asleep Faster: Sleeping naked tones down your body temperature, which impacts your circadian rhythm (your body’s internal clock), which tells you when to sleep.
- Male Fertility: A study found a link between wearing too tight underwear and less sperm production. Men who wear boxers have more sperm and a higher concentration of sperm than men who wear tighter alternatives. However, more research is needed in this area.
Sleeping naked also tells you more about your body and self. One study found that spending time naked made people feel better about themselves and their bodies in general. However, chances are you might catch a cold sleeping without clothes, so be mindful of your environment.
Sleep Tight in Your Pajamas
What you want to wear to bed is your own business. You might be happy to sleep in a matching set of striped pajamas, while someone else might prefer to sleep in a cute nightgown (or nothing at all!).
What works for one person might not always work for another. It takes some trial and error to find the right pajamas. So, whether you want to buy shirts that keep sweat away, cotton pajamas that keep you cool, or something else to keep you cool while you sleep, finding the right sleepwear is important.
