Pharmacist Abbas Kanani from Chemist Click cited research suggesting that sleeping with socks can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and reduce nighttime awakenings.
Why Sleeping With Socks Can Be Beneficial
The research found that wearing socks in bed helped shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, increase total sleep duration, and minimize nighttime wake-ups.
Kanani explained that socks can also be beneficial for women going through menopause, as they help regulate body temperature and prevent hot flashes.
Additionally, he noted that gender differences affect optimal sleep temperature.
- Women tend to have a lower resting metabolic rate, making them more sensitive to cooler sleeping environments.
- Men, on the other hand, are generally more resistant to warmer bedroom temperatures.
The Downsides of Sleeping With Socks
While wearing socks to bed has its benefits, Kanani also pointed out three potential drawbacks.
1. Restricted Circulation
Tight socks may reduce blood circulation, especially if they compress blood flow when lying down.
“Unless prescribed by a doctor, avoid wearing compression socks at night,” Kanani advised.
2. Overheating
If socks are not breathable, excess heat gets trapped, leading to overheating.
“If your socks aren’t breathable, any heat that is expelled through vasodilation will have nowhere to go and cause you to overheat,” Kanani explained.
3. Increased Risk of Fungal Infections
One of the most surprising risks is nail fungus.
“If a person’s feet get too warm and sweat, this can also increase the chances of fungal nail infection.” Kanani explained.
A fungal nail infection often starts at the edge of a toenail and spreads, making the nail discolored, thick, and brittle. It can also cause pain and swelling around the nail.
This article is based on information from Pensionist.