Sleeping With Socks on: Benefits & Risks

Sleeping Socks
A photo collage of someone sleeping in socks.
Twitter/US Medical Magazine

The debate over sleeping with socks on has been around for a while. Regardless of your opinions and preferences, should you wear socks to bed? 

The other daunting question is, are there any advantages to it? If so, how does it aid in improved sleep for individuals? 

Medical reports show that warming up your feet while you sleep improves blood circulation, lowers core body temperature, and signals your brain that it is time to sleep.

“Additionally, as circulation increases, blood and oxygen flow is ensured, allowing our heart, lungs, and muscles to function at their peak levels,” US Medics Magazine analyzed.  

Shot of a young woman sleeping with a mask on in bed
Shot of a young woman sleeping with a mask on in bed
File

According to research by Medic Magazine, sleeping with socks on does help the process of distal vasodilation to wear socks to bed. 

This causes a rise in blood flow to the hands and feet, which lowers body warmth and promotes sleep.

Warm feet, on the other hand, promote blood circulation, which helps to regulate body temperature and may lessen the frequency of hot flashes.

“Your body may send signals to heat up during the night as a result of menopausal hormone imbalances, which induce hot flashes. Your temperature can be maintained by controlling blood flow by covering your feet,” US Medics Magazine wrote. 

It is advisable for those who frequently come into contact with cool and dry air, should consider wearing socks to help dry out their skin.

“Normally, the feet area gets colder during the night. It’s important for people who suffer cold temperatures to consider putting on socks,” US Medics Magazine wrote. 

According to research done by the BBC, wearing socks offers users a better and more relaxed night. 

“According to the study, people who wore socks slept 32 minutes longer, 7.5 minutes faster, and woke up 7.5 times less frequently than people who did not,” BBC analyzed. 

Largely, this finding by BBC demonstrates that wearing socks while you sleep may promote quicker and deeper sleep.

US Medics Magazine outlines that circadian rhythm determines the various heating and cooling rhythms that a body experiences throughout the day. 

As a result, before bed, the body naturally attempts to bring your core temperature down. As such, warming of feet before bed has been shown to help lower core body temperature and hasten the process of falling asleep. 

Socks
A photo collage of two people showing their socks.
Twitter/US Medical Magazine