Pajama party
What do you wear to bed? Your favorite t-shirt from high school, a matching silk set, fleece onesie pajamas to make you feel fun and young again, your skivvies, or dare I say it… nude!? At end of the day, when you’re exhausted and just want to slip into something comfortable, how much thought do you put into your pajamas?
What if I told you, to get a good night’s sleep we should put some serious thought into what we wear to bed?
In the morning, we dress to accommodate our daily activities but when we prepared for bed, we see it as a non-event or an inactivity. We don’t see it as getting dressed for bed as much as we think about it as getting undressed for bed. So what should we think about when it is time to prepare for snoozing and dreaming?
A superior night’s sleep requires keeping a consistent bed time, creating the right sleep environment, incorporating the consideration of light and temperature, and factoring in the attire you wear to bed.
Focus on the fabric
The simple truth is that you have to wear what feels good, comfortable and functional for you. When considering the fabric you wear to bed, factor in how the material will feel against your skin as well as how it will regulate body temperature. So let’s dissect the following fabrics for sleeping:
Cotton
- All natural
- Soft to the touch
- Lightweight
- Breathable allowing for the circulation of air
- Doesn’t irritate the skin
- Poor job of insulating. You’ll need suitable blankets if sleeping in cooler environment.
- Inefficient at wicking away moisture. If you have night sweats, cotton is a textile to avoid.
Silk
- Great at regulating temperature. Keeps you cool in a warm environment and warm in a cold one.
- Costly to invest in
- Requires dry cleaning
- Comfort factor may bother some people as the slippery material may shift during sleep.
Flannel
- Comfortable
- Provides warmth. Keeps you toasty without overheating.
- Breathable
- Best nighttime fabric for cold climates.
Wool
- Keeps you warm
- May cause overheating
- Can irritate the skin, causing itching and keeping you up at night.
Fleece
- Keeps you warm
- May cause overheating
- Doesn’t allow air to circulate, which may increase sweating during sleep.
Footie pajamas for better sleep?
We can’t forget about what we put on our feet when we sleep. While unfortunately our pajamas don’t always have feet attached to them anymore, cold feet are connected with sleeplessness. We’re serious. On the flip side, keeping your feet too warm can cause your body to overheat, which may create a lot of tossing and turning. If you sleep hot, keep your feet bare. If you wake up shivering on a regular basis, slip on some lightweight socks before bed and see if that helps.
Sleeping in your birthday suit
Some people prefer to hop into bed sans clothing. Sleeping in the buff is really quite common and has a lot of benefits. The main factor being temperature regulation. Sleeping naked helps prevent the body from overheating, which naturally leads to a better night’s sleep. According to WebMD the optimal sleeping temperature should fall somewhere between 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping within these temps allows for the release of melatonin and growth hormones which helps with anti-aging, regenerating the body and allowing for better hair and skin. When sleeping without clothing you may not have any pajamas to wash, but you want to think about how often you wash your sheets. WebMD states that when sleeping in the nude you should probably be changing your bed sheets at least twice a week. Without pajamas to absorb your natural sweat and oils, the buildup on sheets can cause bacteria to grow, and can be uncomfortable to sleep on.
Pajamas & prepping for sleep
Whether you sleep in your favorite pajamas or limit your sleep wear to, well, nothing, the main goal is to keep your temperature in a comfortable and healthy place. Avoid tight clothes that don’t provide air circulation and dress in coordination with the temp of the room you’re sleeping in. Change your sleepwear with the seasons, your environment and what makes you feel comfy and relaxed.
Make pajamas part of your bedtime routine. Instead of just throwing on sweatpants and a t-shirt, invest in some great sleepwear to help get you in the mood to fall asleep. Prepping for sleep triggers your brain and body to know it’s time to wind down. Setting the right temp, the proper lighting and slipping into the right clothing to cuddle with your mattress can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
What do you wear to bed? What is your favorite fabric to fall asleep in? Let us know!
