Which clothes help us sleep best?

Joseph Chance (0:01)

Bababam Which clothes help us sleep best? Thanks for asking.

Slipping into sleepwear is an essential part of most people's nighttime routine. We often do it when we're winding down from a busy day, and it means it's time to relax and get ready for sleep. Whether you sleep in pajamas, a nightgown, a t-shirt or nothing at all, the main thing you want to avoid is your body getting too hot or too cold. You need to feel comfortable in loose-fitting clothes that don't constrict your body. That's because sleepwear that is too tight can restrict blood circulation and cause numbness or tingling. Synthetic materials, wool and lace can also cause itching and skin irritation. It's important to strike the right balance between your personal preferences and room temperature. According to healthline.com, an ideal sleep environment should be between 15.6 and 19.4 degrees celsius.

SPEAKER_2 (1:05)

So are you saying there's no one best option when it comes to sleepwear then?

Joseph Chance (1:10)

Well, let's put comfort aside for a moment. Your body needs to lower its core temperature to help you fall asleep peacefully.

And wearing the wrong clothes can interfere with that process. It can make you sweat, for example, causing you to overheat, or you might get tense because you're too cold. So really the ideal sleepwear is something that doesn't interfere with your body's temperature regulation and doesn't restrict your movements while you sleep. Natural fabrics like cotton, silk or linen are often cited as good choices of material because they help regulate body temperature effectively.

SPEAKER_2 (1:53)

What about sleeping naked?

Joseph Chance (1:55)

The same principles apply.

You might feel freer and more comfortable sleeping naked, and it might suit your room temperature better. An additional benefit is that skin-to-skin contact with someone else when sleeping naked can reduce stress and increase a sense of well-being, thanks to the release of so-called love hormone oxytocin. If you prefer to wear underwear only rather than pajamas, it's best you avoid the garments you've been wearing all day, as they're usually less comfortable and have accumulated sweat and bacteria. You don't want to wear underwear that's too tight either. Cosmopolitan and Vice advise against wearing thongs or underwire bras.

SPEAKER_2 (2:37)

What about socks?

Joseph Chance (2:38)

Well, in the summer, that doesn't usually come into consideration for obvious reasons. But during the rest of the year, it's really a matter of personal preference. One thing's for sure though, and that's that having cold feet at bedtime isn't ideal. One option is to wear socks to warm your feet, and then take them off before sleeping. But you may just want to keep the socks on, as in a cool environment, this even helps you fall asleep faster and get an average of 32 minutes more sleep, according to a Korean study from 2018

There you have it. Now you know which clothes help us sleep best. In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions, and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.

Bababam.