Wearing socks to bed – yes or no?
By Dr Alison Bentley, Restonic Sleep Expert
Love it or hate it, wearing socks to bed inspires surprisingly strong emotions in people. Some say it’s off-putting, unattractive or claustrophobic. Others swear by it, citing warmth, comfort and improved ease of falling asleep.
Interestingly, the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) found that while just over 10% of people always wear socks to bed, the age group most likely to wear socks to bed is… millennials. Dr. Frank Walfish, Beverly Hills family relationship psychotherapist, and author of The Self-Aware Parent, says, “Most people who wear socks to bed wear them for warmth. Occasionally, one might request their partner wear socks because they have sharp, uneven, scratchy toenails.”
However, researchers have found that wearing socks to bed can mean better sex. And there’s also a growing movement for men wearing flirty, vibrant socks during the day. “It’s a style statement today,” says Dr. Walfish.
Here are some other considerations that might just convince you to try out socks as part of your night-time sleepwear.
Try putting a few extra blankets on the bottom portion of your bed, or slipping a hot water bottle or heating pad under the sheets at the foot of your bed
5 good reasons you should wear socks to bed
Here are 5 good reasons out of many why you should sleep with your socks on while enjoying the benefits of snuggling up with warm toasty fee.
Vasodilation
Warming cold feet causes vasodilation
HOVER TO READ MORE
Vasodilation
a Fancy way of saying that the blood vessels expand, something scientists say may send a signal to the brain that it’s bedtime
1
Hot flashes
May help prevent hot flashes among women
HOVER TO READ MORE
Hot flashes
2. Socks may help prevent hot flashes among women because they help cool core body temperature (warming your feet tricks your body into thinking it’s warmer, so it increases blood flow to the skin, which causes your core temperature to drop slightly).
2
Moisture
Can help to combat dry, cracked heels.
HOVER TO READ MORE
Moisture
Wearing socks over feet moisturized with an emollient foot cream can help to combat dry, cracked heels.
3
Raynaud’s syndrome
Warm feet boosts blood circulation
HOVER TO READ MORE
Raynaud’s syndrome
People with Raynaud’s syndrome (which causes spasms in small blood vessels in their fingers and toes, limiting blood flow) blood flow may find that wearing socks to bed helps to keep feet warm, boosting blood circulation and helping to ward off flare-ups.
4
Sleeping Early
Fall asleep an average of 15 minutes sooner
HOVER TO READ MORE
Sleeping Early
A Swiss study found that sock wearers fell asleep an average of 15 minutes sooner than those who don’t wear socks.
5
In conclusion
Despite the health benefits some people enjoy from slipping on socks, there are others who just don’t get it. This might be for physical reasons, such as a faster metabolism, good blood circulation or thicker skin. Your feet may be toasty and warm naturally, and if that’s the case, lucky you! But don’t begrudge others the benefits that they may enjoy from wearing socks to bed.
For those who would like to experience sock-warming benefits, but find socks uncomfortable to sleep with, you could try putting a few extra blankets on the bottom portion of your bed, or slipping a hot water bottle or heating pad under the sheets at the foot of your bed.
If you’re a fan of socks in bed, remember that the type of socks you wear matter. They should be clean and fresh so there’s no build-up of bacteria. They also shouldn’t be too thick, which will prevent sufficient airflow and create conditions that are ripe for fungus to grow. Choose socks that are lightweight and made of natural fibres.
For superior sleeping experience, view our extensive range of spring and foam beds.
