You may or may not have an opinion about wearing socks to bed. Some people have resolute thoughts about this subject, while others can go either way. However, did you know there are proven physiological benefits of wearing socks to bed?
The Benefits of Sleeping in Your Socks
Whether you choose fuzzy socks, everyday socks or a pair of custom socks, science tells us the key to being well-rested starts with warm feet.
Sleep Better
You may be restless at night due to an unexpected culprit, cold feet. When your feet are chilly, the blood vessels constrict, causing decreased circulation. Taking steps to ensure warm feet will:
Increase blood circulation throughout your body: Cold feet have more inadequate blood circulation and more significant heat loss than warm feet. Wearing socks while sleeping improves your blood flow and helps your body relax.
Tell your brain now is the time to rest: Warming your feet increases vasodilation. This blood dilation process is vital to temperature regulation. Maintaining a lower overall body temperature prepares your brain for sleep.
Decrease the time required to fall asleep: Once your body is at the right temperature, you will fall asleep quickly.
Help you sleep longer: Successful temperature regulation not only enables you to fall asleep faster but helps you stay asleep as well.
Prevent Dry Skin
Apply lotion or other moisturizers to your feet at night and then cover with a pair of custom socks while you sleep to prevent your heels from drying out in style. This overnight method is the best way to soften and smooth the cracks and calluses of hard-working feet.
Improve Circulation
Wearing socks to bed keeps your blood circulating properly, decreasing your chances of circulation problems or illnesses such as Raynaud’s disease. Thermoregulation is the way your body regulates its temperature. One way to ensure consistent blood flow is by preventing your feet from getting cold. Cold feet allow heat to escape from your body resulting in fluctuating temperatures.
Maintain an Even Temperature
Sleeping in your socks keeps your core body temperature at a consistent temperature. Heat loss through the skin resulting from cold feet can cause higher body temperatures, night sweats and hot flashes. While it may seem counterintuitive, wearing socks keeps your body cooler by regulating your core temperature and preventing overheating.
The Risks of Wearing Socks to Bed
There can be some undesirable effects of keeping your socks on through the night, mostly stemming from choosing the wrong material.
Poor Hygiene
Sometimes, staying in your socks can cause hygiene issues. If your socks do not allow for sufficient airflow or are not clean, you could increase your risk of bacteria growth, infections or odors. Changing into a clean pair of socks made of a breathable material such as cashmere, bamboo, wool or cotton can prevent this concern.
Overheating
Socks made of non-breathable materials can also cause you to become too hot as you sleep. While the right pair will maintain your core temperature, the wrong socks may have you sweating through the night.
Decreased Circulation
Tight or restrictive socks can cause reduced blood flow. The right pair of socks increases your circulation and improves your sleep, but the wrong choice can create problems instead. Do not wear compression socks to bed unless your doctor has directed you to do so.
Personal Preference
While some people find socks warm and cozy while sleeping, others feel they are uncomfortable and restrictive. For this reason, you may decide to keep your socks off and forego the scientific benefits.
Warming your feet before sleep can shorten the time it takes to nod off, increase the duration and quality of your rest and make you feel cozy, too. Design a pair of custom socks to sleep in for a restful night’s sleep that looks and feels good.
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