What to Wear Guide: Sleeping

We all spend so much time trying to decide on our outfits for the day, that it can often be such a relief simply to throw on some comfortable PJs when it’s time for bed. But have you ever thought about what the best night-time clothing is to wear?

A Disney onesie (which you may or may not own) might look cute and feel snug, but some synthetic materials could well be a serial offender for keeping your body temperature too irregular – making your blissful 40 winks turn into hours of frustrating tossing and turning.

Materials Best to Avoid

Cotton is soft and lightweight, but is known to be slightly inefficient in keeping you warm in a cooler climate; conversely, cotton isn’t the greatest choice for wicking away any moisture. Wool or fleece will keep you warm to the point of overheating and even irritate your skin.

Quick hint: Keep Your Sleeping Environment in Mind

Sleeping well isn’t just about what we wear at night, but also what we’re sleeping on. You may well think that mattresses are one and the same, but there is far more to it than simply an object to lie on. This particular mattress on Amazon (named Eve) is promoting the importance of memory foam with cooling technology via air holes. This is designed to help your body stay cool and avoid overheating – a common cause of restless sleep. To throw some science into the mix, this review states that the Eve mattress has a “30% improved airflow compared to conventional foam.”

Materials Most Recommended

Fabrics made from bamboo are actually some of the best to sleep in. The material is not only soft, but is very effective at wicking away moisture. So combined with a mattress like the one above, you’re bound to have the best sleep of your life. Silk is also a material that is very good at keeping your body at a decent temperature, no matter the weather.

Perhaps trumping all of those, however, is clothing made primarily of modal. This type of fabric is being seen more and more for night-time clothing – such as this pyjama set from Carole Hochman – as well as bedsheets and blankets. The material is derived from the cellulose of beech trees, and is incredibly water-absorbent, yet still thin and comfortable.

Things to Consider

Your feet can often be the best indicator to how your body is feeling at night. Thin socks can ease off a bit of chill in the colder months, but will likely make your body too warm in other seasons; just adapt to how your body is feeling. Furthermore, elastic on your clothing shouldn’t be very tight, as this will hinder circulation and consequently, your sleep.

Finally, whilst it might not be to everyone’s liking, the benefits of sleeping without clothing is definitely worth a mention, as it’s said to control body temperature better, as well as aid in melatonin levels – a hormone that helps regulate sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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-- Editor-in-Chief SLiNK Magazine