Wearing socks to bed may ruin your mood, but it can help you cool down and sleep better, according to an expert.
During the summer months, people resort to buying fans and even sleeping on top of sheets to try to stay cool at night.
But a much simpler solution is to put on a pair of slippers, because keeping your feet covered regulates body temperature even better than opening a window.
Lisa Artis, from the British Sleep Society, said regulating body temperature is a crucial way to achieve restful sleep.
“Uniquely, wearing socks to bed can be a brilliant way to achieve this,” he explained.
‘Wearing socks while sleeping in the summer can help regulate body temperature through a process known as thermoregulation.
Wearing socks to bed can be a negative factor for your mood, but it can help you refresh and sleep better, according to an expert.
This is because keeping your feet covered regulates body temperature even better than opening a window.
‘Thermoregulation is the body’s ability to maintain its core temperature within a narrow, optimal range despite changes in external temperature.
‘The hypothalamus, a part of the brain, plays a key role in this process by constantly monitoring body temperature and triggering physiological responses to conserve or dissipate heat.
‘When you wear socks, you warm your feet and trigger vasodilation, where the blood vessels in your skin widen, increasing blood flow to the skin’s surface.
‘This improved circulation facilitates the release of excess body heat. By dissipating this heat, the body’s core temperature is reduced, which is crucial for initiating and maintaining sleep.
‘In summer sleeping conditions, although it may seem counterintuitive, this cooling effect can make sleep more comfortable by promoting the body’s natural thermoregulatory processes, helping you stay cool and sleep better.’
His comments come as recent research from sleep technology company Simba shows Britons lose an average of 17 hours of sleep each month during the summer.
The survey found that less than a quarter of Britons consistently wear socks to bed in the summer, and more than a third of those who do are aged between 18 and 34.
It also found that half of Britons forgo pyjamas and only wear underwear to bed during the warmer months, while around one in five wear nothing at all.
A survey has found that less than a quarter of Britons consistently wear socks to bed in the summer, and more than a third of those who do are aged between 18 and 34.
In addition to keeping us cool, socks offer additional health benefits, such as relieving the symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition that stops blood flow to the fingers and toes.
It’s also important to wear the right pair of socks, Ms. Artis said.
Natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo or wool are recommended for their breathability and ability to wick moisture away from the skin.
If you really don’t feel like wearing socks, simply taking them off to sleep can help cool you down, she added.
“Choosing not to wear underwear allows for better airflow, which promotes the skin’s natural ability to breathe and reduces the likelihood of sweat buildup,” she said.
‘Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health, and making small adjustments to our bedtime rituals can have a significant impact on how rested and energized we feel each morning.’