Is Sleeping Naked Better for Your Health?

When you’re crawling under the covers tonight, should you think twice about putting on your favorite pajamas?

A National Sleep Foundation poll reports that 12% of Americans sleep au naturel and studies are mixed on whether what you wear to bed matters. We waded through the research to provide some answers on the supposed benefits of sleeping in the buff.

… Improve Your Relationship

For couples, sleeping naked could increase relationship satisfaction. A survey of more than 1,000 adults found 57% of those who slept naked felt happy in their relationships (compared with 48% who wore pajamas).

“If you and partner both sleep naked, the skin-to-skin contact will release the feel-good hormone [oxytocin],” says Fran Walfish, PsyD, a Beverly Hills, California-based relationship psychotherapist.

Research shows even non-sexual contact with the skin boosts levels of oxytocin. The hormone, also released during sex, is associated with lower levels of depression, stress and reduced blood pressure.

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