Enhance Your Slumber: Experts Vouch for This Sleep Gadget's Benefits
Snooze Better with Socks: A Guide to Sweet Dreams
Ready to catch those z's like a charm? Our seven-part series, Sleep, But Better newsletter, is here to make that dream a reality!
Here's a surprising trick that might knock your socks off: wearing socks to bed can improve your sleep quality. According to specialists at Cleveland Clinic, this seemingly counterintuitive practice could be your ticket to slumber town.
Hear us out. During the day, an adult's core temperature peaks between 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit (36.1 C to 37.2 C), averaging 98.6 F (37 C). As night falls, the core temperature gradually drops by one to two degrees to prepare the body for sleep.
A process called distal vasodilation involves the widening of blood vessels in the extremities (typically hands and feet), increasing heat loss through the skin. When you snuggle up with some toasty socks, you're helping open up blood vessels to cool down the rest of the body, thereby lowering the core temperature.
Studies have shown that young men who wore socks to bed fell asleep nearly eight minutes faster and slept 32 minutes longer than those who didn't, with fewer nighttime awakenings. So, if you're struggling to fall asleep or staying asleep, warming your tootsies might be just the thing for you!
Here's another pro tip: keeping your bedroom around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 C) can also help your body maintain an optimal cool core temperature, promoting a restful night's sleep. But remember, everybody's different—what works for one might not work for another. So, it's essential to listen to your body and adjust your sleeping environment accordingly.
And, bite-sized fact: if you're under 10 years old, you might run a bit cooler!
Want to double down on this cozy hack for better sleep? A warm shower or bath before bed can create a temperature drop that promotes sleepiness. By raising your core temperature slightly before bedtime and then allowing it to cool off, the body may feel sleepier.
Everybody's sleep needs and preferences are unique. If you find that wearing socks feels too warm or your room is too chilly, go with what feels best for you. After all, it's all about ensuring your body gets the rest it needs!
Wearing socks in bed can potentially reduce sleep latency and increase total sleep time, according to specialists at Cleveland Clinic, thanks to a process called distal vasodilation that narrows blood vessels in the extremities, thereby cooling the body and lowering the core temperature. Additionally, maintaining a cool bedroom temperature around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 C) can further promote an optimal cool core temperature for better sleep. However, individual sleep needs and preferences may vary, so it's crucial to listen to your body and adjust your sleeping environment accordingly.
