What if we told you that just a few changes to your bedtime attire could improve the way you sleep? To many who suffer from poor sleep, it may seem like an idea that is too good to be true. However, there has been some proof that wearing socks may be the new way to get those essential seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
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To ensure you know the research, we wanted to look a little deeper at this topic! Are socks at night just a personal preference, or are their health benefits?
Can Socks Relieve Sleep Problems?
If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep or wake up often throughout the night, your problem may not be anything more complicated than having cold feet. Cold feet can restrict blood flow to your feet, causing them to constrict. According to the National Sleep Foundation, warming your feet before trying to sleep can encourage natural melatonin (the hormone for sleep), and help you sleep faster.
When blood flow isn't restricted, the blood dilates your veins and warms up your entire body. This will ensure you enjoy feeling warm and cozy when drifting off to sleep at night.
How Socks Improve Sleep
Most people don't think of their feet as being the key to good sleep. However, the feet and hands help to regulate our core body temperature. By wearing socks in the winter, you can encourage a natural process of distal vasodilation. This means you will get warmer and fall asleep faster.
Other Ways That Wearing Socks at Night Can Help You
In addition to wearing socks to improve your sleep quality, there are other benefits to wearing them while you catch some Z's. Some examples are:
- Healing Dry Skin: When you apply moisture to your feet before putting on socks, you can eliminate dry, cracked heels and feet while you sleep.
- Reduce Hot Flashes: With a more stable core temperature, you may reduce the hot flashes that come with menopause, according to the University of Florida Health System. This may seem counteractive because socks will keep you warm, but it's all about "maintaining" your core temperature, which could keep menopausal spikes at bay.
- Experience Less Numbness: UFHealth also says you can decrease your risk of Raynaud's [ray-NOSE] disease. It is an illness that may cause your fingers and toes to feel numb or cold when you are otherwise comfortable.
- Improved Intimate Times: One study also shows that increased blood flow through warmer feet can help intimate moments be more enjoyable.
All these things and more can be better with socks as a part of your nighttime wardrobe. However, what should you do during the summer, or when it is hot in your home already? Some studies say that the ideal temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 67 °F. Any cooler or warmer than that could cause sleep interruptions.
Since your body temperature may drop during sleep, your feet are the key to keeping your core temperature maintained. You won't lose out on your heat. During the summer, and if your home is warmer than 67, you should have fewer issues with losing heat. However, if you frequently sleep without a sheet or a blanket in the summer, covering at least your feet may still be helpful.
Other Things to Try
Not everyone can sleep with socks on their feet. Some people feel uncomfortable with them, and there is some truth to that as well. Socks that are too tight, can make you too warm during the night. If you crave a good night's rest but aren't willing to try socks on to achieve it, you can also consider upgrading to a new mattress! Just come to the Land of Sleep, and we will help you choose the right mattress to cure your nighttime woes.
