Get ready to burn your onesies: If you sleep naked, you have a better chance at scoring these amazing health perks.
How stylish are you when you hit the sack? Maybe you’re all about the pajama set, or comfiest in a t-shirt and undies. Or better yet, maybe you dig letting it all hang out and sleep in the nude. Believe it or not, only 10 percent of Americans sleep naked, according to the National Sleep Foundation—which means most of us are missing out on some serious health benefits.
Here are five reasons you may want to consider sleeping in the buff:
1. Better quality sleep
One of the most annoying things that can happen when you’re trying to sleep is your body overheating—and seemingly out of nowhere. If you sleep naked, you stand a better chance of your body staying at an optimal temperature throughout the night. A 2008 study published in the journal Brain found that when the room temperature was between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, it helped the body’s core temp drop in preparation for sleep. (Translation: More shuteye.)
2. Happy vagina
While having some yeast and bacteria down yonder is totally normal, when you trap body heat and moisture down there, it increases your risk of yeast infections, according to the U.S. Office on Women’s Health. So really, going commando is where it’s at.
3. Trimmed waistline
According to Good Housekeeping, a good night’s sleep keeps your cortisol levels in check, which in turn keeps your energy and hunger levels balanced throughout the day. If stress, overheating, or ahem, uncomfortable pajamas disturb your sleep, your bod will naturally produce more cortisol. Not only can too much cortisol leave you cranky and craving sweets, but it can also lead to belly fat. (Womp, womp.)
4. Healthier heart
One study found that during sleep, people with normal or high blood pressure experienced a 20 to 30 percent drop in blood pressure, along with a 10 to 20 percent reduction in heart rate while snoozing. (Cha. Ching.)
5. Happier relationship
A 2014 survey by Cotton USA found that couples who snooze in the nude are more likely to report being happy with their relationship. Fifty-seven percent of nude sleepers said they were happy in their relationship, while only 48 percent of pajama-wearers felt the same. Plus, just imagine all the time you’ll save by not having to strip down—you can just get busy!
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Sleep naked image via Shutterstock