Why You Should Sleep Naked According to Science
A 2021 poll by Mattress Advisor found that 50% of participants enjoyed sleeping naked, with more than half of those sleeping naked said it was more comfortable and others said it helped them sleep better. Aside from temperature control and general comfort, there are other reasons why sleeping naked can be beneficial too, including some unexpected reproductive health benefits. This is how sleeping naked can be a good idea for your lower regions.
Sleeping naked can help reduce yeast infection
I spoke with Dr. Navya Mysore, MD , who specializes in reproductive health at One Medical, and mentions that adequate airflow during sleep actually helps vaginal health. “Yeast loves a closed, dark, cramped environment in which any fungal infection can thrive,” she explains. For anyone with a chronic yeast infection and trying different solutions, sleeping naked is “worth a try,” says Dr. Mysore.
Sleeping naked can help keep sperm healthy
Restful sleep has a lot to do with temperature control, and Dr. Mysore notes that the ideal room temperature for comfortable sleep is between 66 and 76 degrees. It turns out that a lower temperature is also important for scrotal health. “Higher temperatures reduce sperm motility or can reduce sperm quality,” explains Dr. Mysore. “Storing testicles in a cooler environment has the potential to improve sperm quality and motility.”
Sleeping naked can help increase intimacy (obviously)
In the same sleep study, 54% of nude sleepers reported that their partner also sleeps naked, which means frequent natural skin-to-skin contact. “Skin-to-skin [contact] releases oxytocin, and when it releases oxytocin, it reduces stress.” Sleeping naked with a partner can promote the production of these good hormones and is obviously more likely to induce an intimate relationship.
Although you don’t need to sleep naked
That being said, personal preference is most important when it comes to good sleep. A cooler environment with more airflow can help with some things, but it won’t help much if you’re the type of person who likes to wear something to feel comfortable. However, if you do wear clothes, Dr. Mysore recommends that they be “cotton, breathable and loose.”