I bet sleeping with socks on isn’t something you thought could ever be damaging to your health or sleep quality. Honestly, there are good and bad sides to sleeping with socks on.
To find out more about whether sleeping with socks on is good or bad for you firstly depends on your age and general health.
For example, in older people or anyone with impaired circulation, sleeping with socks on can improve blood circulation, which in turn helps the body regulate its temperature through the night, preventing you from becoming too hot while sleeping or waking up with chills.
However, on the flip side, Sleeping with Socks on can have the reverse effect in all the above conditions.
When determining whether or not sleeping with socks on is good or bad for you, firstly consider your reason for doing it and whether or not you have any troubles with your health, and if you’re unsure, speak to a professional about your situation, who can personally advise you whether or not it would be a good or a bad idea to try sleeping with socks on.
Throughout this guide, I will talk you through all the benefits and disadvantages of sleeping with socks on. I will also take a brief look at the science behind it and find out which socks are the best for sleeping in if this is something you think can improve your sleep.
Sleeping With Socks on – Advantages
The primary effect of wearing socks to bed is on the body’s blood circulation. When you wear socks at night, your body’s ability to drop its core temperature speeds up, which is detrimental to sleep. So, if you struggle to nod off at night, putting a pair of socks on may mean you fall asleep quicker.
Below are some of the predominant advantages of wearing socks to bed:
1. Improved Circulation
I have already spoken about how sleeping with socks on can improve the body’s blood circulation, increasing oxygen.
These factors positively impact how well we sleep and ensure our muscles and vital organs work as they should and remain in good health.
2. Moisture Protection
Sleeping with socks can help with sore, dry, and cracked feet by preventing them from drying out during the cold winter. Applying foot cream before putting on your socks will further improve skin hydration in the feet.
3. Temperature Regulation
Sleeping with socks on can help the body better regulate its core temperature, also known as thermoregulation. Body temperature usually depends heavily on your sleeping environment, so adding a pair of socks during the winter months can help you to remain warm.
However, on the contrary, if you suffer from night sweats, adding a pair of socks can also help the body lower its core temperature much quicker due to vasodilation, where the blood vessels dilate and speed up the cooling down process. This can be especially beneficial to women going through menopause.
4. Promotes Energy Flow
According to some Chinese research, sleeping with socks on can help to improve qi energy by improving the circulation of oxygen around the body and stimulating blood flow. This is because it’s believed that cold feet can drain the body of energy.
5. Prevention of Raynaud’s Syndrome
Raynaud’s syndrome is a condition that is referred to when the body, primarily the extremities (fingers and toes), feel numb or tingly when the temperature in the environment drops.
One of the main symptoms used to identify Raynaud’s syndrome is the skin appearing pale and patchy in the affected areas. Sleeping with socks on is sometimes recommended to prevent this frustrating condition.
Sleeping with Socks on – Disadvantages
As with anything, there are plus sides and downsides to wearing socks for bed. Once again, this is personal and will depend primarily on your health, age, and circumstances. It can also simply be a preference. While some may find it comfortable, others simply cannot bear sleeping with socks on.
Below are why wearing socks to bed might be bad for you.
1. Raised Temperature
I know I have already told you about how sleeping with socks on can lower body temperature, this might not always be the case, and once again, this depends on your situation. It can also depend on the type of socks you wear to bed.
For example, thick thermal socks probably aren’t the best choice for sleep. You can learn more about which type of socks to wear to bed at the end of this guide.
2. Unhygienic
Again, this can relate heavily to the socks you wear to bed. For example, wearing materials that will make you sweat, such as polyester and other man-made fibers, isn’t the advised choice. As these materials aren’t breathable, hygiene becomes a risk factor, as the trapped air has nowhere to go, breeding bacteria.
The same rule goes for anything you wear to bed regarding body temperature. Breathable fabrics are much less likely to cause sweating.
3. Reduced Circulation
Another downside to sleeping with socks on, which contradicts what I’ve already mentioned, is that it could reduce your circulation instead of improving it. This is mainly the case if you wear socks that are too tight or restricting.
Be sure that any socks you wear during the night are comfortable and loose-fitting to prevent a decrease in blood flow.
What Are the Best Socks to Wear to Bed?
Different kinds of socks are better recommended to wear to bed than others.
Below is a list of the best socks for nighttime which will hopefully increase your chances of a better night’s sleep:
1. Cotton
Any cotton clothing, including socks, has many benefits. Ensuring that the socks you wear to bed are 100% cotton will benefit your comfort during the night. Cotton is cooling because it absorbs moisture, preventing that hot and sticky feeling you get when you sweat.
2. Cashmere
If you’re someone who likes the finer things in life, and doesn’t mind spending those extra few dollars on a pair of cashmere bed socks, then you will find that they have many benefits. Like cotton, they retain moisture, but at the same time, the thin fibers, tightly woven, also help to keep you warm and improve thermoregulation.
3. Bed Socks
There are specific socks that are manufactured with the sole purpose of being worn to bed. There are many different kinds on the market, so researching the best ones for you is the best option.
More often than not, bed socks are substantially thicker than everyday socks, allowing for breathability.
4. Merino Wool Socks
You might think that sound of sleeping in woolen socks is the worst idea in the world, as wool is often believed to be itchy and extremely warm. However, merino wool is much thinner and softer than your average wool and is brilliant for moisture absorption and insulation.
Keeping Feet Warm Without Sleeping with Socks on
If you still aren’t sure about wearing socks to bed and don’t think it’s something you can get on board with, here are a couple of alternatives to ensure you remain cozy through the night by keeping your feet warm without the use of socks.
1. Electric/Heated Blanket
While sleeping with an electric blanket is not advised for safety reasons, having one warm up your bed in the hours leading up to sleep can mean you drift soundly off to sleep at a lovely warm temperature.
However, please do remember that leaving electric blankets on overnight or unsupervised is a major fire and burn hazard, so use heated blankets with caution.
2. Add Extra Layers
Wearing an extra layer of clothing or adding more blankets to your bed is another safer option for keeping warm during the night without wearing bed socks. If you’re worried about the rest of your body becoming too warm.
At the same time you sleep, simply try to place an added layer over the bottom half of your bed or your feet alone.
3. Hot Water Bottle
Remembering the safety information surrounding hot water bottles, such as ensuring they’re on date and without breakages; using a hot water bottle to place by your feet while you fall to sleep can be an excellent way to ensure your feet are warm enough in bed.
4. Warm Bath
A warm bath before bed is great for increasing body temperature, meaning you will remain toasty and warm once you get in bed. It’s also an excellent step to add to your nightly sleep schedule as it promotes relaxation, relieves stress, and prepares the body for sleep.
Is Sleeping With Socks on Good or Bad for You – The Outcome
There is no real yes or no answer as to whether sleeping with socks on is good or bad for you; it depends on your health, preference, and circumstance.
Hence, to decide whether or not wearing socks to bed is right for you, it’s key to understand your bodily functions. For example, sleeping with socks on can decrease blood pressure.
Wearing socks in bed can help to increase blood flow and oxygen circulation, which can mean that you get a more restful night’s sleep and improve the body’s circadian rhythm.
There are different kinds of socks that all work well to regulate body temperature and keep you feeling comfortable, but remember to check the label before purchasing to ensure that they’re not made of materials such as polyester, fleece, or velvet, as these may cause you to overheat.
Lastly, to avoid infection and bad odor, maintain good hygiene when wearing bed socks. Socks should be breathable, washed regularly, and changed each night.
