3 reasons why you shouldn't sleep naked in a heatwave
This is the biggest mistake you’re making when (trying to) sleep in a heatwave
If you’ve been ditching your pyjamas in favour of sleeping naked during a heatwave, you’re making a huge mistake – here’s why.
As T3’s resident sleep expert, I’ve tried almost every sleep trick imaginable. But one thing I have yet to figure out is how to sleep comfortably during a heatwave. Like most of the UK right now, I’ve been blasting a fan and lying on top of the sheets to get some relief from the heat during the nighttime.
But one thing that’s hotly (no pun intended) debated is what you should wear to bed in a heatwave, with many people favouring sleeping in the nude. But according to GPs and sleep experts, you shouldn’t be sleeping naked in a heatwave for these three reasons.
1. It makes you sweatier
Sleeping naked can help you feel cooler at first but it can actually leave you feeling hotter and sweatier over the course of the night. As you sweat from the heat while you sleep, your sweat remains directly on your skin rather than caught by your clothes. This skin contact leaves you feeling hotter, sweatier and stickier which makes for an uncomfortable night’s sleep.
Having a layer of clothes, even a thin one, wicks sweat away from your body which helps cool you down. Loose-fitting pyjamas and cooling fabrics like bamboo or linen also allow air to circulate which minimises moisture, and prevents your bed sheets from getting too sweat-filled.
2. It disrupts your natural sleep cycle
To fall asleep, your core body temperature needs to drop, which is why sleep experts recommend sleeping in a cold room. But during a heatwave, your body remains warm which can prevent you from falling asleep. However, sleeping naked as a way to feel colder and kick start your sleep cycle, actually goes against your body’s natural circadian rhythm.
By sleeping naked, your body is being sent too many mixed signals – your sweat is making you hotter yet your absence of clothes is making you colder. It can all get a bit too confusing for your brain and body to keep track of which prevents you from falling asleep. Instead, focus on creating a comfortable sleep environment that keeps the heat out so your body can cool down – check out these 5 bedroom accessories to survive the heatwave for more details.
3. It can prevent recovery
While sleeping in a cold room has been found to be beneficial, sleeping in one naked and with a fan blasting cold air at you can prevent your body from recovering. Cold air – especially from a fan you’re using at night – can get into your joints and bones, and leave you feeling stiff and achy the next day. If you’ve been hitting the gym, this can prevent your muscles from recovering and cause cramping.
