With every day a new social media tip appears to emerge in order to try and make people’s lives better in one way or another, and this time around the target appears to be about wearing socks to bed to help improve your sleep.
Whilst the pursuit of “sleepmaxxing” is hardly new, and a lot of people wear socks to be regardless, the newest trend has gone viral on the social media website TikTok, and unlike a lot of somewhat dubious advice regarding sleep, this may have some potential basis behind it.
Why Should You Wear Socks To Bed?
Whilst not everyone feels comfortable sleeping with socks on, some people love to wear socks to bed during winter in order to keep their extremities warm during particularly chilly nights.
However, whilst this is a sensible approach, the suggestion from the “sleepmaxxing” trend is to wear socks on hot nights, not necessarily to keep your feet warm but to keep the rest of your body cool.
The idea is that when your extremities feel hot, they will disperse core body heat, lowering your core body temperature and bringing it closer to the 18-20 degrees Celsius range that the Sleep Foundation claims is optimal for a good night’s sleep.
Whilst this will make your feet warmer, the core temperature is what affects restful sleep the most, and so according to the trend, putting on a pair of socks may be the difference between disturbed and restful sleep.
Is The Trend True?
There is a remarkably solid scientific basis behind it, and in some very small studies, it has proven to be true, although it must be said that it will not help everyone the same way.
It works through distal vasodilation, which is where the blood vessels open wider during sleep to increase blood flow, making feet hotter in order to lower the core body temperature.
The idea is that this process can be sped up by increasing the body temperature and causing a more rapid decline in body temperature that convinces the body that it is time for rest. A warm bath or a hot drink can have a similar effect, but socks remain a popular choice.
It works, but may not work for everyone. Insomnia cannot be treated by wearing socks, nor can conditions such as sleep apnoea, which may require medical intervention in order to help with sleep.
Similarly, people with nerve dysregulation or burning feet syndrome may not benefit from wearing socks and should consult their GP first before trying it. This is also true if you have a tendency to contract fungal infections or have a circulatory issue such as diabetes.
Which Socks Are Best?
There are specialist bed socks designed to try and help improve sleep, but beyond that, breathable, loose-fitting socks are important to allow your feet to heat up but avoid causing sweating.
Socks with natural fibres, bamboo, merino wool or even cotton can be ideal for providing both warmth and breathability, so choose quality over quantity with your sleeping socks.
