With the UK gripped in the clutches of another heatwave, Brits are being warned that sleeping naked might not help them cool off. Although it seems logical to wear as little as possible, ditching the pyjamas might actually make you warmer than wearing them.
Sleep experts from Winstons Beds have shared the top reasons that sleeping nude might actually hinder your rest rather than improve it. The first reason is that pyjamas actually help to keep sweat away from your body and help regulate your temperature.
Going to bed naked might also leave you more susceptible to nighttime chills, particularly if there’s a breeze or a sudden drop in temperature.
A spokesperson said: “Fewer clothes might mean less heat trapped against your skin, but it also means your body’s natural cooling system – sweat – has nowhere to go.
“Without the absorbent barrier of lightweight sleepwear, sweat can pool on your skin, leaving you feeling sticky and uncomfortable.
“It also means bedding will get dirtier with sweat, body oils and other bodily fluids transferring to bed linen.”
Ditching the pyjamas can also leave you open to skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Direct contact with bedding materials, especially if they are rough or not very breathable, can cause skin irritation. Clothing acts as a barrier, reducing friction and protecting your skin.
Pyjamas also protect against bug bites – especially useful if you sleep with the windows open in hot weather.
If you want to cool down in bed, one of the best tricks is to hold ice against your pulse points.
By using a frozen water bottle and holding it between your thighs or against your neck, you can cool the blood flow beneath the surface.
This blood is then pumped around your body and will lower your body temperature.