Sleeping Naked – The Surprising Perks Of Ditching Your PJs

What's your bedtime ritual like? Do you swap your daytime outfit for a cozy tee, or maybe something a little more alluring? Perhaps you go for just panties. Or maybe you're among the roughly 1 in 5 Americans who skip clothing altogether at night. While that group is small, there's a real list of upsides to sleeping bare. These perks alone might convince you to give it a shot.

The Surprising Benefits of Sleeping Naked

You might assume this piece is purely about how hot it feels to sleep nude — and honestly, looking sexy takes zero effort when you've got nothing on! That's certainly part of the appeal, but it's far from the whole story. Plenty of women, and some men too, simply find that clothed sleep isn't as comfortable as they'd like.

How often have you woken up with your pant legs bunched at your knees or fabric twisted in every direction? You don't have to put up with any of that — just skip the sleepwear entirely! Less laundry piling up, less time spent changing before bed, and that's only the beginning of what nude sleeping offers.

Going without clothes at night lets your skin breathe freely. This matters even more if you typically wear synthetic materials like nylon or spandex. For women especially, the vulva can get uncomfortably warm when wrapped in layers of fabric, which raises the odds of odor and infection, particularly if you're active or living somewhere hot.

Bacteria are already present on your body, but warm, damp, covered conditions give them room to multiply down there. Try a pre-bed shower and let yourself air dry without clothing getting in the way as you settle in for sleep.

Research from the U.S. National Sleep Foundation actually found that people burn more calories sleeping without clothes — who wouldn't want that? It happens because your body generates additional heat in the process.

Naturally, during a brutal winter cold snap, you'll want to layer up as much as needed. Not even shared body heat helps once temperatures drop below zero Fahrenheit (nearly -20 Celsius). But when it's just mild enough to sleep comfortably nude, why not experiment?

Conversely, stripping down during summer heat when you're prone to overheating can actually improve your sleep quality, according to one 2008 study. Participants who tended to overheat experienced worse sleep because their core body temperature stayed elevated past the ideal range. Give your fan or AC a break by just shedding those restrictive pajamas!

Along the same lines, keeping your bedroom at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler can support a more youthful appearance and better athletic performance by encouraging the right hormonal environment for growth hormone and melatonin. Maybe it wasn't just Chanel No. 5 keeping Marilyn Monroe so radiant after all — sleeping in the nude may have been part of her real beauty secret. Discover how to channel that same confidence in this article.

Increase Intimacy When Sleeping Naked

It's no surprise that skin-to-skin contact increases when you and your partner share a bed nude. Even if just one of you goes bare, you'll build intimacy passively simply by getting ready for bed together. It's the same principle behind why cuddling boosts closeness in a relationship.

That same U.S. National Sleep Foundation research also revealed a connection between nude sleep and reduced blood pressure. Being physically close to your partner triggers your body to release oxytocin, often called the bonding hormone, which helps you relax and brings blood pressure down. Sounds like a win all around!

We can't skip mentioning that sleeping without clothes can boost both arousal and accessibility. There's no pajamas or underwear standing in the way when you're already undressed. Scoot closer to your partner and take advantage of his morning wood before he's even awake, or guide his hand wherever you'd like in those early hours to kick the day off right. You could even try a sensual massage since you're both already bare!

The same perk extends to solo play too. Even sleeping alone, clothing can get in the way of reaching orgasm, especially after an exhausting day at work or with the kids. With nothing separating you from your most sensitive areas, there's really no reason to skip pleasure. Plus, masturbating before bed helps plenty of women drift off faster and more easily! Find some excellent tips in this post.

Should You Always Sleep Naked?

You don't need to shed everything at once if that feels like too big a leap. Ease into it by wearing just a comfy camisole with your panties. Drop the camisole after some time passes. Eventually, you can lose the underwear too once you're at ease sleeping completely bare.

Of course, going nude at night won't suit every situation. For example, you'll probably want to throw something on if roommates are around when you need a midnight bathroom trip.

And getting caught off guard by the mailman is only glamorous in cheap porn scripts. You might also want to keep panties on during your period to protect your sheets, though a menstrual cup can handle the mess even better than pads or tampons if you're comfortable using one. Menstrual cups also make period sex much less messy.

Some people also find that pajamas or underwear keep their sheets feeling fresher longer, meaning you might end up doing laundry more frequently if you switch to sleeping nude. Ultimately, it comes down to your own preference.

Related: How to take good nudes.

Lastly, you may want to think twice about going nude with a brand-new partner. If they're not used to the idea, it could come across as odd rather than enticing. He might lean toward lingerie instead, and you can learn how to win him over with lingerie in this guide. Alternatively, bring it up casually by asking what he thinks about women who sleep in the nude — it's a fun way to learn more about a new partner and could spark something exciting for both of you.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with snug pajamas, especially during frigid winter nights, but you might be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable sleeping bare can feel, along with everything else that comes with it. Factor in the added closeness of skin touching skin with your partner, and your sex life could get a nice boost as well!

January 17, 2021