You might have read a lot about how lingerie can improve mental health and what to wear at night, but this blog gives you a deeper understanding of what happens to your body during sleep. A healthy adult should sleep 7 to 8 hours per night. He or she should fall asleep in 5 to 15 minutes. It is very common for humans to wake up during sleep because it is a part of a normal sleep cycle. People often get frustrated about waking up in the middle of sleep. But it is a great sign that the sleep mechanism works perfectly. However, disturbed sleep is not good. Healthy adults face sleep disturbances due to alterations in thermal comfort during sleep.
How Does Our Body Maintain Thermal Comfort During Sleep?
The thermal environment is an important factor that affects human sleep. For example, when you feel sleepy, there is a decrease in core body temperature and an increase in skin temperature. The core body temperature continues to decrease throughout the night while the skin temperature remains high. The core body temperature rises only when you wake up. Room temperature, humidity, air speed, nightwear, and weather influence the thermal environment. Exposure to chillness increases sleeping difficulty because the body struggles to maintain thermal comfort.
So, what’s the solution?
Clothing and bedding insulate the body and regulate the temperature. A theoretical study on thermal comfort proves that sleepwear and bedding maintain a proper thermal environment.
How Does the Fabric of Nightwear Affect Thermal Comfort?
Natural fabrics such as cotton and wool and artificial fabrics like polyester and nylon are used for sleepwear and bedding. The difference in the properties of every fabric has a different effect on thermal insulation. Fabrics have insulation properties that influence thermal comfort. It regulates heat and moisture transfer between the skin and the environment.
Cotton and wool have the ability to absorb and transfer large quantities of moisture. Wool absorbs 35% moisture, cotton 24% and polyester below 1%. Wool has the highest moisture-recovery level, while polyester has the lowest. Cotton has an intermediate recovery level.
In addition, poor sleepers have less wakefulness when sleeping in wool and cotton. The rate of rapid eye movement sleep is higher in polyester than in cotton or wool. Thus, natural fabrics like wool and cotton are the best choices for nightwear.
How to Improve Your Sleep Quality?
Wear Cotton
Cotton is the best material for sleeping. It is ideal because it is a natural fibre, lightweight, soft, and comfortable. It allows your skin to breathe and will improve sleep quality. It also helps maintain the thermal comfort zone.
Wear Loose Clothing
You need to wear loose clothing that will allow your skin to breathe. It is also good for blood circulation. Tight clothing with tight elastic bands can have a negative impact on your sleep. Wearing a good cotton gown, a relaxed-fit pyjama set helps you maintain good thermal comfort and improves sleep quality.
Find the Right Alternative Fabric
If wearing cotton doesn’t align with your personality, you may choose other good fabrics. Pick lace, mesh, satin, bamboo, viscose, and modal nightwear that is sexier and ultra-luxurious. Always choose a fabric that helps you regulate your body temperature throughout the night.
Dress Right at Night
A good night’s sleep plays a vital role in your health and well-being. While it is important to dress up during the daytime, it is equally important to dress right at night. Because it can make a big difference in sleep quality.
Should You Wear a Bra While Sleeping?
While we are talking about nightwear/sleepwear, let’s not forget bras. Should you wear a bra to bed? The decision is all yours. You can either go braless or wear a comfortable sleep bra. Do you need more clarity? Read myths and facts about sleeping with a bra. If you want to know more about sleep bras, you can read about the benefits of sleep bras.
Final Words,
Sleep is incredibly important, and there’s no one rule that works for everyone. Find what’s best and most comfortable for you to enjoy your sleep. We hope this blog helps you understand the importance of investing in good nightwear.
Instead of stressing, start shopping for the best nightwear from us!
Also, have a look at our sleep bra collections.
Don’t forget to read – What Did People Wear to Bed Before Pyjamas?
Author Note: I’d like to thank Dr. Zhongping Lin and Dr. Shiming Deng for their informative research on thermal comfort in sleeping environment. I’ve shared their research findings in this blog for informational purpose.