8 Benefits Of Sleeping Naked: Why It Might Be The Healthier Choice

People can be pretty particular about their sleep outfits: a trendy matching set, that old worn-in tee, or—one of the most controversial—the birthday suit. But are those who choose to snooze in the nude actually making the healthier choice, or does it just feel good?

High-quality sleep leads to health benefits, like reduced stress1, increased immunity2, and improved metabolic health3. Sleeping in the nude, alone or with a partner, can also bolster self-esteem, intimacy, and more. Here's a deeper dive into the top benefits of sleeping naked.

According to a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, the human body drops in temperature during sleep4 and rises upon waking. The optimal temperature for sleep is right around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, holistic psychiatrist and sleep expert Ellen Vora, M.D., previously told mindbodygreen, with anything in the mid to high 60s could be conducive to sleep. Shedding layers (aka sleeping naked) can initiate that cool-down process, which can help you fall asleep more quickly. 

Sleeping naked from the start eliminates a layer of clothing that could make you too warm, functional medicine doctor and OB/GYN Wendie Trubow, M.D., tells mbg. This can promote higher-quality sleep throughout the night, which leads to further health benefits, like:

Even more directly, tight clothing (especially when sweaty) can lead to back acne and butt acne. By sleeping nude, you avoid irritation from underwear or pajamas in those areas of the body.

Yeast infections occur when the vagina experiences an overgrowth in yeast due to a change in pH, a hormonal imbalance, or an increase in moisture. "If you're wearing underwear that is synthetic, sleeping naked can allow the vagina to 'breathe,'" Trubow says. If you're not comfortable going commando, cotton underwear is best. 

A study published in the journal Human Reproduction, looked at 656 men seeking fertility treatment and found those wearing boxers had the highest sperm count8 compared to those wearing tight underwear. While there's no data to prove that sleeping naked can improve fertility, this research suggests looser fabric may be beneficial for sperm production—and what's looser than a birthday suit?

"Sleeping naked has multiple psychological benefits," couples' therapist Alicia Muñoz, LPC, tells mbg. "It gives you a way to experience your skin directly and creates an opportunity for you to appreciate your body sensually. Just running your hands over your arms in bed, or allowing a hand to rest on your chest and belly, can be soothing to your nervous system, and can be a form of self-nurturing, especially when done mindfully," she explains. 

"When you give yourself a chance to be comfortable naked, even if it's alone in your own bed, you're actually sending your unconscious mind some important communications such as: You have a right to be in your body, your body doesn't always have to covered or hidden, and your body can feel unfettered and free," she says. 

Think about it: "If you wake up naked next to someone, it just makes sense that this might lead to greater intimacy," Trubow says. This may be especially enticing for people with physical touch as a love language.

Since most of the benefits of sleeping naked have to do with temperature regulation, wearing loose-fitting clothing could be similarly effective. If you're not comfortable going completely nude, try wearing a top with no bottoms or vice-versa. Other comfortable, cool items may include an oversize T-shirt or a nightgown. Opting for cotton undergarments is best, given the breathability of the fabric.

There are plenty of factors that may interfere with high-quality sleep, and your clothing may be one of them. Along with sleeping naked, these 15 tips may help improve your sleep.