Too hot to sleep? This easy hack could cool you down… but it might also kill the mood!
Wearing socks to bed can put a damper on your mood, but it can help you cool down and sleep better, according to one expert.
During the summer months, people often buy fans and even sleep on the blankets to stay cool at night.
But a much simpler solution is to just wear them. Keeping your feet covered regulates your body temperature even better than opening a window.
Lisa Artis from the British Sleep Society says regulating body temperature is essential for a good night’s sleep.
“Wearing socks to bed is a great way to do this, which is unusual,” she explained.
‘Wearing socks to bed in the summer helps regulate your body temperature through a process called thermoregulation.
Wearing socks to bed can be a mood killer, but it can help you cool down and sleep better, according to an expert
This is because covering the feet regulates body temperature even better than opening a window.
Thermoregulation is the body’s ability to maintain core temperature within a narrow, optimal range despite changes in external temperature.
The hypothalamus, a part of the brain, plays an important role in this process by continuously monitoring body temperature and activating physiological responses to conserve or dissipate heat.
‘When you wear socks, they warm your feet and cause vasodilation, a process in which the blood vessels in the skin dilate and more blood flows to the skin’s surface.
‘This improved circulation facilitates the release of excess body heat. By removing this heat, the body’s core temperature is lowered, which is crucial for initiating and maintaining sleep.
‘Although it may seem counterintuitive, this cooling effect can help you sleep more comfortably in the summer. It promotes the body’s natural heat-regulating processes, helping you stay cool and sleep better.’
Her comments were made in response to recent research from a sleep technology company Simba It turns out that Britons lose an average of 17 hours of sleep per month during the summer.
Their research found that less than a quarter of Britons consistently wear socks to bed in the summer, with more than a third of those who do so being aged between 18 and 34.
It also emerged that half of Britons don’t wear pyjamas in the warmer months, only underwear to bed, while around one in five wear nothing at all.
A 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.
In addition to keeping you cool, socks offer other health benefits, such as relieving the symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition in which blood flow to the fingers and toes is blocked.
Wearing the right pair of socks is also important, says Artis.
Natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo or wool are recommended for their breathable properties and ability to wick moisture away from the skin.
If you really don’t feel like wearing socks, you can undress yourself for bed. That can help you cool down, she added.
“If you choose not to wear underwear, air can circulate better. This allows the skin to breathe better and reduces the chance of sweating,” the researcher said.
‘Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. Small adjustments to our bedtime routines can have a significant impact on how rested and energized we feel each morning.’