Getting a good night’s sleep might be as straightforward as changing what you wear to bed, a doctor claims.
Individual preferences for sleepwear vary greatly, ranging from wearing nothing at all to donning a complete set of pyjamas. However, one doctor suggests that wearing specific items to bed could influence how quickly you fall asleep.
Doctor Jess Andrade, a specialist in paediatrics and sports medicine, asserts that wearing a particular item of clothing to bed can expedite the process of falling asleep. Despite its potential benefits, this bedtime item is so contentious that some individuals refuse to wear it, even if it means enduring more restlessness.
According to the doctor, donning socks before bed can lead to a more restful night’s sleep.
She explained: “Let’s talk about people who wear socks to bed. Wearing socks makes your feet warm, and this opens up the blood vessels that cool the body down. The body being cool tells the brain that it’s time for bed, so actually, people who wear socks tend to fall asleep faster.”
The Sleep Foundation also endorses the concept of wearing socks to bed, referencing a 2018 study that discovered participants who employed socks or other foot-warming techniques not only fell asleep more quickly but also reported longer sleep durations and “experiencing an overall better quality of sleep”.
The organisation suggests that slipping on a pair of socks before hitting the hay could yield several health benefits, including aiding in the prevention of menopausal hot flashes by lowering the body’s core temperature, lessening the symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome, and even helping to prevent cracked feet if you apply a healing balm or lotion beforehand.
Despite these potential perks, many people responding to Dr Andrade’s comments remained sceptical about adopting the practice themselves. The topic of wearing socks to bed often proves divisive; some can’t get a good night’s sleep without them, while others find the very thought uncomfortable.
One individual remarked: “I feel like I’m being strangled to death if I wear socks to bed.” Another shared: “I feel trapped with my feet covered up. I don’t even like blankets on my feet.” A third wrote: “I can’t sleep with socks, the feeling bothers me. Once I take them off, I feel better and can sleep in peace.”
On the other end of the spectrum, several commenters couldn’t envision sleeping without their socks. Meanwhile, others who were on the fence expressed willingness to give it a try in hopes of improving their slumber.