December 18th, 2019 by Chris Chapman

We’ve all struggled to get to sleep at one time or another. It’s more common in winter when chilly bedrooms combine with those winter stresses (Christmas shopping, heating bills, and so on) to keep you up at night for far longer than you’d like. If you’re someone who struggles to nod off at times, it’s said that wearing socks in bed could help you fall asleep faster, and for longer. However, is that actually true? Read on to get the facts!

Does Wearing Socks in Bed Help You Sleep?

Feet play an important role in regulating your body temperature. At night, our core body temperature is supposed to drop slightly. It’s how our bodies’ internal clock knows that it’s bedtime! Warming up the hands and feet opens up the blood vessels in your arms and legs which allows heat to escape through your skin more effectively, lowering your core temperature. It sounds counter-productive – you’re basically warming up so you can cool down – but warm skin means your body’s core is able to lower its temperature more effectively and prepare for rest!

Why Are Warm Feet Important for Sleep?

Our body temperature is tied to our internal clock, which is known as the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is what helps you wake up in a morning and fall asleep at night. As we wake up, our temperature rises until it hits a peak around mid-afternoon time – this is when we’re at our best and most awake. At night, our temperature starts to drop, which is why we start to feel tired and ready for bed. However, other things can get in the way of this, like stress and anxiety, which can stop you from falling asleep on schedule. Research shows that keeping your feet cosy will help your body to set its clock naturally, giving you a relaxed and contented feeling that will help you to drop off to sleep much more quickly.

I Don’t Like Wearing Socks in Bed. What Can I Do?

Ok, we’ll admit that wearing socks in bed isn’t the most glamorous thing you can do! Luckily, it’s not the only way you can keep warm in bed. There are a few other top tips for ensuring you keep your toes cosy!

Take a Bath

Take a bath or a shower just before bed. This can help you sleep in a couple of ways; first, it’ll warm up your hands and feet while you’re in the shower. In addition, stepping out of the warm water into the cooler air will subconsciously let your body know that it’s cold and dark outside, and help get it ready for sleep.

Put Extra Blankets on the Foot of Your Bed

Pop an extra quilt above or below your duvet at the bottom of your bed. This will help keep your feet cosy through the night.

Use an Electric Blanket with Extra Foot Warmth

Electric blankets are generally a good way to help you fall asleep anyway as they help you feel cosy and relaxed. However, some models of electric blanket come with extra foot warmth, so if you’re struggling to fall asleep at night, one of these may be your best bet. These electric blankets fit to your mattress like a fitted sheet and will help keep your feet cosy as they’ll divert extra warmth to the bottom of your bed.

Some electric blankets – like our Prestige heated blankets – give you even more control over your foot warmth by allowing you to set your body and foot temperature settings differently. This means you can get your feet just right for an extra-cosy night’s sleep!