Benefits of Sleeping Naked: Why You Should Be Sleeping Naked




Sleeping nude can help your core temperature cool faster and lead to better sleep. 

Sleeping naked may improve health, partner intimacy, anxiety, and self-esteem. 

When sleeping naked, make sure your bedding is comfortable, the room temperature is optimal, and you prioritize personal hygiene before bed.


Some people believe sleeping naked helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. However, researchers haven’t directly studied these potential benefits of sleeping nude. If sleeping naked helps you receive the recommended amount of sleep each night, then it’s worth trying. Research suggests that sleeping naked may potentially positively impact reproductive health, connection with a partner, and self-esteem.


Fall asleep faster

Your body temperature is one key to how you fall asleep. It’s actually part of your circadian rhythm, the biological rhythm that acts as your body’s “clock” for sleep.

Cooling down tells your body that it’s time to sleep, so sleeping naked — and allowing your body temperature to go down — can actually help you fall asleep faster.

Better sleep quality

Not only does cooling your body help you fall asleep faster, but it also improves your overall sleep quality. The ideal temperature for your bedroom is somewhere between 60–67°F (15 to 19°C).

One older 2012 studyTrusted Source from the National Institutes of Health found that the temperature of the room where you sleep is one of the most important factors in achieving quality sleep.

If it’s too cold or too hot, you risk impacting your rapid eye movement sleep, which is the dream stage of sleep that helps refresh your brain and body. Sleeping naked is one way to stay cool beneath the covers.

Keeps skin healthy

Because sleeping naked can help increase your overall sleep quality, it can also improve your skin. One small 2018 study looked at whether poor sleep limited the skin’s ability to heal from a small wound.

They split participants into three groups — one that received “adequate” sleep, one that was sleep-deprived, and a third that was sleep-deprived but received extra nutrients.

What they found was that the group that slept well recovered faster than the other two groups. And the extra nutrition? It didn’t make a significant difference in how fast the wounds healed.

This shows that getting enough sleep could help your skin to recover and stay healthy, and if sleeping naked helps that happen, even better.

Reduce stress and anxiety

Another reason sleeping naked might be a good change is that it could help reduce your overall stress and anxiety. It’s no secret that poor sleep has a major impact on your stress levels. A large 2020 studyTrusted Source suggests that sleep disturbance can lead to persistent depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in those who live with depression.

While stress and anxiety can both cause insomnia, it’s important to remember that improving your sleep quality — and getting enough sleep — may help.

Prevent weight gain

Not sleeping well can have a range of health impacts.

2022 reviewTrusted Source suggests that people who sleep seven or fewer hours per night are more likely to gain weight.

Another way sleeping naked could help keep you trim? Keeping your body colder at night may help boost your calorie-burning abilities. A small study from 2014Trusted Source following five men discovered that exposure to cooler temperatures, around 66°F (19°C), helped their bodies increase brown fat activity.

Lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes

Not getting enough sleep can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a 2016 reviewTrusted Source. Having type 2 diabetes can, in turn, increase your risk of heart disease.

By sleeping naked, you may increase your ability to fall asleep faster and stay asleep, which could make all the difference when it comes to your health.

Promote vaginal health

Sleeping naked is also a great way to increase vaginal health and avoid yeast infections. Tight-fitting or sweaty underwear can increase your risk of a vaginal yeast infection since yeast likes to grow in warm, moist places.

Regardless of what you wear during the day, sleeping naked is an easy way to air out your vagina and keep it healthy.

Increase male fertility

Women aren’t the only ones who can benefit from sleeping naked. A 2018 studyTrusted Source of 656 males suggested a link between wearing tight-fitting underwear and lower sperm count. Men who reported wearing boxers had a higher sperm concentration and total sperm count than those who wore tight underwear.

Sleeping naked is a great way to keep testicles cool and at an optimal temperature for sperm health.

Boost self-esteem

Sleeping naked is also a great way to get in touch with your body and boost your self-esteem.

2021 studyTrusted Source suggests a link between time spent naked and increased body appreciation, which is definitely a win when it comes to embracing self-love.

Improve your relationship

While sex can be a great part of your relationship, sleeping naked with your partner can be just as wonderful. In fact, one 2015 studyTrusted Source discovered that skin-to-skin contact between adults stimulates the release of oxytocin, which plays an important role in building attachment between partners.

Even better? Touching your partner is also great for your health — not just your relationship — and sleeping naked is a fantastic way to reap both benefits.

Tips To Start Sleeping Naked

If you’re ready to sleep naked, here are some helpful tips to get started:

  • Make sure to change or wash your sheets at least once a week. Having a few sets of sheets can help keep things fresh and clean. 
  • Invest in comfortable sheets and bedding to help with temperature regulation.
  • Shower before bed to keep your sheets clean longer.
  • If you sleepwalk,  you may want to sleep in at least underwear, especially if you live with roommates or family members. 
  • Tell your partner if you’re making this change and invite them to try it with you

The takeaway

Even if you aren’t comfortable sleeping completely naked, reducing the number of layers you wear at night — or even just ditching your bra or underwear — is an easy way to take advantage of these benefits.

When it comes to sleep, the important thing is that you’re taking steps to ensure you’re getting enough good sleep.