Time To Sleep Over Some ‘Naked’ Truth

From changing mattresses and lights to putting up dark curtains, people try all sorts of things in the pursuit of a good night’s sleep. But what if someone told you that the easiest thing among sleep hygiene is to sleep in your birthday suit? Among wellness trends finding favour in the country and abroad, a habit that seems to be getting increasing attention is that of sleeping naked.

Several celebrities, including Anusha Dandekar, Padma Lakshmi, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Ranveer Singh, to name a few have shared their experiences of sleeping well with minimal or no clothing at all. Way before sleeping in the nude became a wellness trend supported by modern actors, the late Marilyn Monroe had famously replied when asked what she wore to bed, “Chanel No. 5.”

The Naked Truth

Sleeping in the nude helps to keep your body temperature cool. It also has other health benefits. It also improves the body’s internal 24-hour clock and regulates sleep-wake cycles. The circadian rhythm is the body's natural internal biological clock that maintains various physical and mental behavioural processes. An imbalance in the rhythm can disturb sleep, mood, digestion, hormone release, body temperature and even cognitive performance.

“Circadian rhythm is the body's 24-hour timing system,” says Dr Sanjay Man-chanda, Chairman and Senior Consultant, Department of Sleep Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. “It helps regulate sleep, wakefulness, release of hormones, temperature, metabolism and various other functions. Actually, it is the master clock.”

Unfortunately, modern lifestyles are increasingly disrupting sleep. Dr Manchanda adds, “Today it is a 24-hour day. People are awake for a very long time at night. Their rhythm changes. Screen exposure from mobile phones is a sleep detractor.”

Natural Temperature Control

Doctors point out that our body temperature naturally drops at night to prepare the body for sleep. Cooler surroundings help support this process. “Your body temperature generally drops at night and helps sleep onset,” Dr Manchanda explains. In the morning, it rises and promotes wakefulness. If temperatures are controlled and environments are cooler, you sleep better. This means that sleeping naked may actually be linked to improved quality of sleep. However, ‘comfort’ is a subjective thing. “It is a very individualistic thing,” Dr Manchanda says.

Since sleep is related to comfort, sleeping without clothes may benefit those who tend to feel very hot at night. “If the room is too hot, it can cause discomfort,” notes Dr Manvir Bhatia, Director of Sleep Medicine at Neurology & Sleep Centre, New Delhi and Senior Consultant in Neurology and Sleep Medicine at Fortis, New Delhi. “Loose breathable cotton sleepwear may be better. Keeping cool is necessary for better sleep,” she adds.

Dr Bhatia points to an article updated by the Sleep Foundation in 2025, which suggests that sleeping naked may help some individuals maintain cooler body temperatures during sleep as well as improve fertility in men and promote improved vaginal health in women as well.

Strip off, Sleep Well

Kartik Singh (name changed), who sleeps in the nude, says, “If I'm sleeping with a blanket on top, I can feel my body adjust to the temperature more naturally than when there’s heavy clothing.” Many nude sleepers stress the tactile and psychological comfort of sleeping without clothes. Being comfortable in one’s own skin is important and therapeutic for self-image. A couple from Noida added that sleeping naked together releases their “happy hormones.”

Sleep experts agree that cooling the body is more important than the absence of clothing itself. Celebrities have helped in making the conversation around ‘sleeping in the nude’ a less taboo subject. Model, TV host and author Padma Lakshmi said in an interview: “I tend to sleep in the nude. I'm an innately tactile person and a very sensual-leaning woman. When I'm in my own private space, I do spend time with very little on.”

Sleeping naked has become associated with body positivity, comfort and freedom of choice. Nudity has for long been either glorified or vilified by modern society. Model-cum-actor John Abraham has always been candid about sleeping in the nude. In an old talk show interview, John had confessed to sleeping naked, saying: “Every night. Haar raat ko. Because it is comfortable. It is freedom of movement. And it’s nice. Abhi apne hi ghar mein chaddar ke neeche kapde kyun pehenu?”

Sleeping in the nude may not magically “optimize” your circadian rhythm as internet wellness claims, but sleep doctors agree that cooler environments can significantly improve sleep quality. Looks like the best night suit is nothing at all!

Bedtime Talk

According to a study published in Brain:

A Journal of Neurology, a lower body temperature is associated with better sleep. The smallest changes in skin temperature can actually improve sleep. The circadian rhythm is influenced by multiple factors such as light exposure, sleep timing, fitness, meals and environmental temperature.