It may seem like a small detail, but what you wear to bed can actually have a large impact on your night's sleep. We may not put much thought into our pajamas, but it may actually impact how we are able to sleep. Here's a little more information on the different fabrics you can wear to bed so you can put a little more thought into it.  

Different types of fabric

When you are deciding on what to wear for bed, you cannot forget the fabric. Different types of fabric can affect our skin and comfort, thus impacting the type of sleep we get. 

Cotton is a common fabric used in a lot of pajamas and t-shirts that you may just throw on. Common is lightweight and soft, and breathable. It allows for air circulation and does a great job at not irritating skin. However, cotton has poor insulation and if you're too cold, you may not sleep very well. Cotton also may not be very absorbent if you experience night sweats. 

Silk is a thermoregulator meaning it can keep you warm when you're warm, and keep you cool when you're cool. However, silk is expensive and can require dry cleaning, especially if it's real. Silk is also super slipper and may move around while you're sleeping. 

Flannel is a good option if you live somewhere colder, or it's the colder part of the year. It's a soft fabric that provides warmth and breathability. This way, you stay warm, but you don't overheat.

Wool and fleece are other warm fabrics, but they could actually cause overheating. Wool and fleece also are skin irritants that can cause itchiness. Itching in the middle of the night can interrupt your sleep and with the lack of airflow, you may find yourself sweating excessively.  

It's all about the little things

When thinking about your pajamas, it's important to remember how the little accents and decorations can impact your comfort. The buttons, pins, zippers, and ties can all be annoying and poke you in the wrong places. Also, if your pajamas are high maintenance to put on, you may not want to wear them. As you go pajama shopping, or look over the pajamas you already have, to see if there are any details that may cause you discomfort, itching, or irritation. 

Footwear matters too

Don't forget about your feet. If your feet are uncovered and that makes you cold, then this can be associated with sleeplessness. However, if putting socks and slippers on your feet actually makes them warm, then this could interrupt your sleep as well. If you find yourself getting cold at night, then put on a light pair of socks to keep you warm. However, if you are often warm at night, free your feet so the heat can escape and keep you cool.

Here are some basic tips on what to wear to bed to help you with your sleep quality. If you find yourself still struggling with getting quality sleep, please click below to take a free online sleep test. 

[Sources]:

https://www.sleep.org/what-to-wear-to-bed/