Unless you’re lucky enough to have air conditioning at home, you’re going to feel the heat tonight.
The UK heatwave will continue well into the evening, with temperatures set to remain above 17C throughout the night.
As you’re attempting to fall asleep in sweltering temperatures, your first instinct might be to whack the fan out. But beware, as sleeping with a fan might make you feel worse.
The better option might be the most obvious one: to take your clothes off – and wearing your birthday suit has significant benefits beyond just cooling you down.
It could help with skin problems
If you suffer from eczema or other skin problems, sleeping in the nude could potentially improve your condition.
Furthermore, it can also keep your skin moisturised and hydrated.
It could prevent yeast infections
It’s good to let your vagina breathe sometimes.
According to WebMD, 75% of women will at some point get a yeast infection – and some experts claim that going nude at night could help prevent them.
If you’d rather keep your knickers on, go for breathable fabrics like cotton.
You could fall asleep quicker – and get a better quality of sleep
Sleeping in the buff cools down your body temperature, which in turn gives signals to your body clock that it’s nap time.
Alternatively, if you’d rather not get your kit off, you can also purchase cooling pyjamas or bed sheets.
What’s more, by cooling down your body temperature, you’re improving odds of having a good night’s sleep and not waking up throughout the night.
It can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety
So, you’re naked, passed out and the quality of sleep is improved.
These combined factors offer yet another benefit.
Healthy sleep patterns can improve mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Avoid getting a fungal skin infection
Not only could a night without sleepwear assist with eczema concerns, but it also reduces chances of getting a fungal skin infection.
Candida yeast cells thrive in moist environments, such as armpits, so hot weather conditions where you’re more likely to sweat will make it easier for them to develop into an infection.
You could improve your sperm production
When you’re overheated you don’t sleep as well and testosterone levels reduce as a result.
If you’d rather not be naked, swapping to loose boxers is another option to help boost sperm production.
You burn more calories
It might sound odd, given you’re not doing anything, but with the right body temperature you could burn calories in your sleep.
During the night, your body releases the human growth hormone which repairs cells. But if it’s too hot, you could experience a rise in stress hormone (cortisol) instead.
When the body temperature is cooler, it burns fat, rather than storing it.
It could benefit your relationship
Aside from the fact that being naked together could lead to you having sex – which in itself is good for your health – this isn’t the only reason it’s good to go nude with a partner.
When you sleep or cuddle skin to skin, your body releases the happy hormone known as oxytocin. According to a survey by Cotton USA, 58% of the participants who slept naked were happy in their relationships, compared to those in pyjamas (48%), nightgowns (43%) and onesies (38%).
However, there are always two sides to a coin; for some people, being naked can increase feelings of anxiety, which in turn can lead to poor sleep.
While sleeping naked does definitely have substantial benefits, it’s not for everyone – and that’s perfectly OK.
Do whatever works best for you.
MORE: Sleeping with a fan on might make you feel worse
MORE: Let’s stop pretending to actually enjoy the hot weather
MORE: Science says there are six types of sleeper, not just night owls and morning larks
