A Good Argument for Sleeping in the Nip

Did you know that way back when they used to share beds with strangers? Like staying for the night at an Inn you would have to share, not just your room, but your bed with complete randomers you had never met before. It’s no wonder people wore pyjamas.

Nowadays our rooms are set-up to be sanctuaries. Somewhere to retreat into privacy, to be alone and yet we still don the PJs. Bed and pyjamas, they just go together like tequila and lime. But really, are they good for us?

Orthopaedic Pillows

Machines that pump white noise into your room

Weighted blankets that feel like your whole body is being hugged by a gentle bear

There’s a crapload of things that have been invented to help us nod off faster. Sleeping in the nip is far more cost-effective than any of the above and all of it really stems from the fact that our bodies need to cool TF down.

In fact, our bodies regulate themselves better at a lower temperature which leads to a whole mother-load of health benefits.

I won’t lie to you, I understand the trepidation of purposefully choosing to be colder than one is comfortable with. I love curling up in front of a roaring fire, pre-heated electric blankets and sitting in the dead heat that builds when a car has been sitting in the sun for too long (I know, it’s weird).

I moved to Dubai (and sometimes complain its cold). I’ve also been known to stand close to warm objects like the oven or tumble dryer if they’re on. I’m a cold person. Yet, having gone through nearly a year of sleeping sans jammies is safe to say you’re not getting me dressed in bed any time soon.

It’s one of those things that we know is good for us but rarely, if ever, put any thought into because how could something so small or insignificant make a difference? But here are a few reasons why it might be worth considering.

Quicker to Nod Off

My partners’ superpower is his ability to fall asleep 5 seconds after his head hits pillow, while I lie restless beside him trying to empty my brain and willing myself to sleep. Since ditching the bedclothes I’ve not been far behind him. Apparently, this is linked to the whole ideal temperature thing. We fall asleep when our body temperature drops and his would drop faster which makes sense as he would ordinarily sleep in fewer clothes than me.

Better Sleep Quality

So it turns out that our bodies get more quality sleep when cooler than expected (15.6 to 19.4°C according to Americas National Sleep foundation). Long sleeves and baggy pants under duvets raise our temperatures and hinder our ability to reduce our body temperature to the optimal number.

So if you’re doing the hokey pokey in the middle of the night or throwing the sheets off only to pull them back you may be better suited to sleeping in the nip. Let your body do its job. It already knows better than anyone how to regulate its temperature.

Regulation of Cortisol

Our bodies stress hormone can wreak havoc on us and as it turns out, getting ourselves in the optimal temperature range for sleep can help our bodies better regulate it. Sleeping overheated can cause cortisol levels to stay high which can lead to increased anxiety, cravings, weight gain and other nasties.

Melatonin and Growth Hormone

On a similar note, keeping our sleeping environments cool can help our bodies regulate melatonin and growth hormone levels. Melatonin and growth hormones help the body prevent ageing. No brainer, no?

Reproductive organs

Our bits need to breathe too. Men’s testes can move, they can regulate their temperature on their own. Women however do not have the same ability. Men can give the boys a helping hand by letting them breathe and women can prevent yeast infections by doing the same.

Better body image

Most of us aren’t comfortable in our birthday suit, I know, outside of sex, I prefer to have something on, even if it’s just a pair of knickers. The more time we spend naked can help us to adjust and become more comfortable in our own skin, sans clothes, having a knock-on effect on our body image.

After a year of heading to bed naked, I dare you to try and put me in a bra after 10 pm. Having slept braless, really any clothes-less for the last year it’s proving to be more enjoyable than I previously expected it to be. I’m sleeping better, waking more easily and now if I accidentally slide under the duvet with clothes on I wake in the night to take it off.

I know pyjamas are cute and adorable but there’s nothing stopping you from putting them on when you get up. Try going naked for a while — it’s proven to be a small change with major improvement and it doesn’t cost a red cent.