Do You Sleep in Socks? You Might Just Benefit from It

Dr. Michelle Drerup, a sleep disorder specialist from the Cleveland Clinic, claims that warming your feet with socks can help your body cool down, thus making you fall asleep faster.

During the day, our body temperature gradually increases and reaches a range of 36.1-37.2 degrees Celsius. As night approaches, the temperature begins to drop to prepare us for sleep.

A process called "peripheral vasodilation" aids in this – it widens the blood vessels in the hands and feet, allowing heat to escape from the body. Socks help expand the blood vessels in the feet, leading to a reduction in the body's overall temperature and a quicker transition to a sleep state.

A small study conducted in 2018 found that young men who slept with socks fell asleep almost 8 minutes faster, slept an additional 32 minutes, and experienced fewer awakenings during the night.

Besides socks, experts also recommend maintaining a comfortable room temperature – around 18 degrees Celsius, although everyone has a different comfort range, between 15 to 21 degrees.

Another useful method is a warm shower before bed. The heat temporarily raises body temperature, but it rapidly drops afterward – something that might enhance feelings of drowsiness.

It's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people can't sleep without socks, while others feel suffocated. As Dr. Jennifer Mundt from the University of Utah explains, everyone should listen to their body and find what works best for them.

If you're looking for a simple way to improve your sleep, it's worth a try – maybe a pair of warm socks will help you drift off more easily.