As the UK is hit by another heatwave, many Brits will be struggling to get a good night’s sleep – but experts have warned that ditching your pyjamas might not help
With Britain caught in the grip of another scorching heatwave, people are being cautioned that stripping off completely for bed might not actually help them stay cool.
Whilst it appears sensible to wear as few clothes as possible, abandoning your nightwear could actually leave you feeling hotter than if you kept your pyjamas on. Sleep specialists from Winstons Beds have revealed the key reasons why sleeping in the buff might actually hamper your slumber rather than enhance it.
The primary reason is that nightwear actually assists in drawing moisture away from your body and helps control your temperature.
Heading to bed without clothes might also make you more vulnerable to shivers, especially if there’s a draught or an unexpected temperature plunge, reports the Express.
“Fewer clothes might mean less heat trapped against your skin, but it also means your body’s natural cooling system – sweat – has nowhere to go,” a spokesperson explained.
“Without the absorbent barrier of lightweight sleepwear, sweat can pool on your skin, leaving you feeling sticky and uncomfortable. It also means bedding will get dirtier with sweat, body oils and other bodily fluids transferring to bed linen.”
Abandoning your nightclothes can also expose you to skin problems, particularly if you have delicate skin.
Direct contact with bedding materials, especially if they are coarse or not very breathable, can trigger skin irritation. Clothing serves as a shield, minimising friction and safeguarding your skin.
Pyjamas also offer protection against insect bites – particularly handy if you sleep with windows open during sweltering weather. If you’re looking to beat the heat in bed, a top tip is to apply ice to your pulse points.
By clutching a frozen water bottle between your thighs or against your neck, you can chill the blood flow beneath the skin.
This cooled blood then circulates throughout your body, effectively reducing your overall body temperature.