5 reasons sleeping naked is good for your health

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When you get ready for bed tonight, you may want to consider wearing your birthday suit.

Only 12 percent of Americans say they sleep naked, according to a poll from the National Sleep Foundation, but it is recommended by both researchers and doctors.

Here are 5 reasons.

You’ll sleep better naked

Your body is wired to drop its temperature during sleep and if you want a solid nights rest, fuzzy pajamas or sweatpants can keep the body too warm. This could lead to restlessness along with tossing and turning. Your skin works naturally with the rest of your body to cool itself down – allowing you to slip into dreamland without overheating.

You’ll lose weight sleeping naked

Speaking of keeping cool, The U.S. National Institute of Health found that staying cool while sleeping encourages your body to create more brown fat. Brown fat helps keep you warm by burning calories, which boosts your metabolism.

Research shows that people with higher levels of brown fat have faster resting metabolic rates, better blood sugar control and higher insulin sensitivity.

You’ll get closer to your partner sleeping naked

Having skin to skin contact with your partner releases oxytocin – “the happiness hormone.” Oxytocin can help alleviate stress and depression, reduce blood pressure and assist with gut inflammation. Sleeping naked also encourages more intimacy with your mate, which results in happier sexual, physical and emotional relationships.

Sleeping naked is healthier for your private parts

Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles have found that sleeping in underwear, especially tight undies or thongs, creates a breeding ground for bacteria.

Sleeping nude helps your private parts “air out,” and reduces the chances of bad bacteria multiplying. Sleeping in underwear also increases the likelihood of chafing and irritation.

Not only that, when men’s testicles are too warm, the quality of their sperm may suffer, according to Dr. Brian Steixner, an Atlanta-based urologist.

“Your nether regions need to be just the right temperature in order to optimize sperm production,” Steixner said.

You’ll gain confidence sleeping naked

Sleeping naked makes you more comfortable in your own skin. That leads to an increase in self-esteem and confidence, which affects your overall health. A University of Melbourne study found that confident people earn higher wages and get promoted more often than their counterparts.