How ditching your PJs and sleeping naked makes for a better night’s sleep

THERE are all sorts of things we are willing to try in the pursuit of a good night’s sleep.

One of the easiest methods to try is stripping off, according to research.

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Sleeping naked can give you a better night’s sleep, reseach says[/caption]

Study participants who slept naked enjoyed the most deep sleep, with an average of 26.5 per cent spent in the REM stage.

A T-shirt and trouser combo was the least beneficial, giving only 17.5 per cent REM sleep.

REM is a stage of sleep when you dream most vividly.

You cycle through all stages of non-REM and REM sleep several times during the night.

REM sleep should make up around a quarter of a person’s night sleep at least.

It is considered important because it stimulates parts of brain involved with memory and learning.

It also helps to process emotions, experts say.

But too much REM sleep is linked with depression, according to some research, although it isn’t clear which one causes the other.

Experts at TheDozyOwl.co.uk – a website that gives advice for a better night’s sleep – conducted a month-long study into how bed attire affects sleep.

Some 2,680 volunteers worldwide were asked to record their REM sleep cycles with a sleep monitor.

Men gained the most out of sleeping in the nude with an average of 27 per cent REM sleep a night, while women had 26 per cent.

But women slept better in a t-shirt and shorts set, which came second place overall. Women gained 27 per cent REM sleep compared with 25 per cent in men. 

Wearing just boxers or knickers was also at the top, giving sleepers 25.5 per cent of REM.

However, experts advise against wearing tight clothing down there when you sleep because it could lead to infections such as thrush or even infertility.

A nightshirt, onesie or bathrobe are best avoided if you want to sleep the night through, the study suggested.

The study wanted to settle the socks in bed on or off debate once and for all.

It found participants who wore socks in bed recorded an average of 27 per cent REM sleep as opposed to 26 per cent for socks off, meaning there was little difference between the two.

Why being naked may improve sleep

Other than giving you free movement to roll around in bed, being naked can improve sleep for a number of scientific reasons.

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 this is the case, one of the best ways to keep cool is to avoid piling on cosy pajamas, and instead just have a duvet to keep you at a comfortable temperature.

But sleeping nude has other benefits other than helping you to nod off, including boosting self esteem.

A review of research found “naturist activities” may improve life satisfaction, body image, and self-esteem.

While sleeping naked was not specifically studied, it is possible that wearing nothing in bed may have a similar effect.

What’s more, if you’re sleeping with your partner in bed, it can relieve stress.

Direct skin-to-skin contact between you and your lover will cause the body to release a hormone called oxytocin, a study found.

Also known as the “love hormone” which is produced during sex and from hugging, oxytocin can reduce stress.

If you’re looking for other ways to improve your sleep, DozyOwl also recently found that sex can help.

By studying 1,600 volunteers,  the website found having sex in doggy position increased REM sleep to 33 per cent.

The lotus position, the eagle and the bridge were also among the sex positions that increased REM the most.

However, trying out the corkscrew before bed has been found to decrease REM sleep the most, giving participants only 17 per cent.