In a study involving six men, half of them slept with socks on, while the other half didn't. The study's results revealed that those who wore socks fell asleep 7.5 minutes faster, slept for 32 minutes longer, and experienced 7.5 times fewer wake-ups compared to those who didn't wear socks. This provides evidence that sleeping in socks can facilitate quicker sleep onset and longer sleep duration.
Why does this occur?
Based on your circadian rhythm, your body undergoes various heating and cooling cycles throughout the day. Naturally, your body lowers its temperature before sleep.
Warming your feet before bedtime can aid in reducing your body temperature, facilitating faster sleep onset.
When your feet are cold, your core body temperature might be elevated. This happens because your body directs more blood (and heat) to core areas like your feet to maintain warmth.
By wearing socks, your feet become warmer, promoting the dilation of blood vessels that tend to constrict in colder conditions.
This, in turn, allows for increased heat release through the skin, effectively cooling your body. Known as distal vasodilation, this process enhances blood flow to the hands and feet, causing a quicker drop in overall body temperature.
Benefits of wearing socks while sleeping
1. Better blood circulation
The socks will warm your feet, increase blood circulation, lower your core body temperature, and let your brain know it's time to sleep. With improved circulation, a good flow of blood and oxygen is ensured, allowing our heart, lungs, and muscles to function at their best.
2. Fall asleep faster
Sleeping in socks promotes distal vasodilation. This is where blood flow to the hands and feet increases, which lowers body temperature and helps you fall asleep faster.
3. Prevents hot flashes
Warm feet increase circulation, help stabilize body temperature, and may help reduce the frequency of hot flashes during menopause.
4. Get rid of cracked heels
If you have dry, cracked heels, it could be due to dry skin caused by constant exposure to cool, dry air. Moisturize your feet before putting on socks.
However, it's important to exercise caution. While sleeping in socks can enhance blood circulation, wearing socks that are too tight might actually reduce blood flow. If your socks lack breathability, they could hinder the dissipation of body heat.
Wearing unhygienic socks can cause infections and bad odors. You should make sure your socks are breathable, not too tight, and are a new pair of clean socks.
If you're dealing with swollen feet, circulation problems, or any other conditions that could impact blood flow to your extremities, wearing socks during sleep might not be suitable for you.
