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Do you have a preference for the type of apparel you wear to sleep in? Maybe it has to be cotton or silk — or flannel for cooler times of year? Or maybe you prefer to sleep in no clothes at all. Nearly 29 percent of people reported sleeping in the buff, in an informal survey from the mattress company Casper.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762969c16ce4-019d-485a-b343-e5d9c4c7558b If you’re one of them (or you sleep next to one of them), you may wonder if it’s healthy to sleep naked. And while there’s no real research supporting it, experts say there are some potential benefits to note. “Generally speaking, sleeping naked is both natural and comfortable, assuming you are not too cold,” says Alex Dimitriu, MD , a double board-certified physician specializing in psychiatry and sleep medicine and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California. (Dimitriu is also a medical reviewer for Everyday Health.) But first, there is one potential downside: Sleeping naked can increase bacterial contamination in the bed, says Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH , a double board-certified physician specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal fetal medicine and the director of perinatal services and maternal fetal medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals Lincoln in the Bronx. That’s because, chances are, you’ll pass gas throughout the night (after all, it happens 14 to 23 times a day on average, and some of those instances happen while you’re asleep), and it’s likely more than just hot air that you’re passing.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297be5fbde-0f5d-4b45-9b7d-8506b039fd6d A viral TikTok video (viewed 13 million times) from a Michigan plastic surgeon ( @doctoryoun , 8.4M followers) suggested that farting excretes poop particles, so if you sleep naked, fecal matter ends up on your sheets.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762985c8450c-26c7-4acb-954f-625b27111321 RELATED: Your Most Burning Poop Questions, Answered The video references an informal experiment by two researchers (which they wrote about in a commentary article in BMJ ), which suggested that bacteria does get emitted during a fart, and that clothing acts as a barrier.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290ed201f4-4a38-48ba-93c2-97afea5d9dbb Note that the experiment was too informal to be considered conclusive evidence, but it proposes that sleeping without clothes may lead to gut bacteria ending up on your sheets, and that clothing can act as a barrier, collecting the bacteria particles that get emitted from a fart. That video was from August 2021. But others, like @lazy_gourmet (40.5K followers), are still talking about it, and a video from February garnered 14.3 million views. Dr. Gaither says the claims from the video are accurate — a small amount of stool can end up on your sheets. But as gross as that sounds, it’s not necessarily worrisome bacteria. The researchers also noted (in that BMJ piece) that the bacteria that did grow were strains commonly seen in yogurt , yet didn’t clarify the species further.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296abda3ad-3a7b-4d05-b00d-6695945c761e Dr. Dimitriu says not to be overly concerned. “I think the benefits outweigh the minimal sanitary downsides,” he says. “If you keep your bedsheets clean by washing regularly , this should not be a problem.” More research would be needed to form any formal conclusions about any risks of sleeping naked versus with clothing. 5 Potential Health Benefits of Sleeping in the Nude Now let’s explore some of the potential benefits associated with ditching pajamas. 1. Cooler Skin Temperature When it comes to the optimal sleeping environment, cooler is generally better. Sleeping at a too-warm temperature can disrupt sleep by increasing the number of times you wake up throughout the night and decrease REM and slow wave sleep (though a too-cold temperature can be similarly detrimental).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d32b7637-eb50-45f9-ae9c-3957dfc52517 The ideal sleep temperature is somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296c29bdf0-4c26-4f17-b43a-92013cb4a186 RELATED: All About Sleep Cycles and the Stages of Sleep If ditching clothes helps your body get to that ideal temperature, you could potentially wake up feeling more rested. “Allowing body temperature to drop during the night results in deeper, slow wave sleep, which is very restorative,” Dimitriu says. “Sleeping naked [may] help this process.” Logging seven or more hours of quality sleep each night is important and comes with a host of its own benefits, including boosted immunity, healthy weight, lower stress and lower risk of heart disease and diabetes , a better mood, and a greater ability to think clearly and make smart decisions.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629af7e802b-7498-4716-acbf-5a2c6e08de3b RELATED: How Sleep Protects Thinking and Memory 2. Enhanced Connection With Partner Embracing your nakedness may increase feelings of fulfillment if you’re coupled up. Even better may be if you both embrace sleeping in the nude. “Nakedness is a vulnerable state of our most intimate selves,” says Pamela Garber , a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of Grand Central Counseling Group based in New York City. “Sleep is also a vulnerable state. Combining the two is a gift.” Research has shown nakedness increases skin-to-skin contact, which — so long as the person views touch as a positive thing and is consensual — can boost psychological well-being, lower stress, and improve the state of the relationship .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629819cd502-b942-4129-b786-1a265ff63f5f 3. Higher Self-Esteem Even if you’re sleeping solo, it’s possible that doing so naked could positively affect the way you view yourself. Spending time naked (in general, not just while sleeping) has been shown to increase positive body image , self-esteem , and life satisfaction.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762951ec1029-c2a9-4605-bca5-60b20f850c65 4. Lower Risk of Yeast Infections for Women Sleeping naked may improve vaginal health, Gaither says. Yeast infections , which are caused by the fungus Candida albicans , grow in warm and humid environments.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a1510a9a-b7b5-4613-a2d5-36ec189e9100 To avoid them (and the itching, burning, discharge, and redness that go along with them), you’ll want to maximize the airflow down there. Going commando (or completely naked) at night is one way to do it.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294f2a0789-4f3f-400f-a6be-019df1ca3cc3 “No tight panties [means] no sweating and no dampness, thus decreasing risk of yeast infections,” Gaither says. RELATED: Best Treatments for Vaginal Yeast Infections 5. Higher Sperm Count for Men Warm temperatures aren’t only likely to lead to tossing and turning and trouble falling asleep — they’re not great for healthy sperm either. Every 1.8-degree increase in testicular temperature was associated with a 14 percent drop in spermatogenesis, or sperm cell production, according to one study.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b5e87378-47e0-49de-84ad-3b42d09aade0 This is why men looking to boost their fertility are advised to avoid hot tubs and tight-fitting pants and underwear.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a264f2ec-10a0-419c-acfb-a15db6b7f7c9 In fact, research has shown that boxers have an edge on briefs because of this. Men who wore looser underwear like boxers had a 25 percent higher sperm concentration, 17 percent higher sperm count, and 14 percent lower FSH count (which the body makes to stimulate sperm production) than men who wore something else.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298cc464ef-fba2-43f5-8fa5-e1697242cc24 If you’re turned off by sleeping naked for whatever reason, you can tap into similar benefits by wearing loose-fitting clothes in a natural fiber like cotton. “However, any clothing may slightly reduce the body’s ability to cool down,” Dimitriu says. Summary There may be some benefits to sleeping naked, but the evidence to back up these benefits is limited. What’s more, there isn’t much research showing that sleeping in pajamas necessarily poses any risks to your health. So unless you have issues with yeast infections or fertility concerns (which would be best to discuss with your doctor), your decision to wear pajamas or not should be based on your comfort and personal preference.

Are you and your partner neglecting sex play? Learn how to add it back into your routine to boost your bond in and out of the bedroom. While “quickies” can be fun and spontaneous, skipping foreplay means missing out on a great way to connect emotionally and physically. According to Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a sexual health expert and researcher at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, foreplay is critical, elemental, and necessary.

Foreplay, also known as “outercourse,” is any sexual activity that occurs before intercourse. There is no single way to engage in foreplay, as it can mean different things to different people. It can involve kissing, caressing, cuddling, flirty texting or talking, massage, and oral sex. If you like it a little rough, biting, pinching, scratching, and spanking can be a turn-on. The goal is to increase sexual excitement, which can help prepare the body for intercourse. Foreplay is sometimes thought of as a warm-up for sex, but it doesn’t necessarily have to lead to intercourse. Some couples find foreplay itself to be sexually fulfilling as a main event.

The benefits of foreplay include lubrication of the vagina, an extended erection, and the prevention of premature ejaculation for people with penises. The female body pulls the uterus up when aroused, lengthening the vagina. This process, called uterine tenting, creates a pool area for semen, which is part of the reproductive sophistication of our machinery, according to Dr. Schwartz. As those muscles relax, the nerve endings start to get stimulated, paving the way for a more pleasurable experience. Research involving married couples has found that 1 to 10 minutes of foreplay was associated with 40% of women achieving orgasm during sex. That percentage rose to 50 with 12 to 20 minutes of foreplay and 60 with more than 20 minutes of foreplay.

If you want more action in bed, you have to let your partner know what you want. But talking about sex can be easier said than done for some. Dr. Lyndsey Harper, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas A&M School of Medicine in Bryan, Texas, recommends two sentence starters to try when expressing sexual desire to your partner: “I want you to…” and “It feels so good when you…”. If it makes you more comfortable, you can bring up your sexual needs outside of the bedroom. If you don’t know how to bring it up, she suggests starting the conversation with something like, “Our sex life is really important, and I’d love for us to feel open talking about things. Would it be okay for me to share with you some things I like?”

Communication comfort is closely linked to trust. To experience true intimacy and fun foreplay, trusting each other is essential, especially since our needs constantly change. Couples who find it difficult to communicate about their desires should consider seeing a couple’s counselor or sex therapist who can help them navigate these discussions.

• Foreplay is just play. Couples can engage in it however they want. According to Dr. Harper, it generally takes about 20 minutes of arousal for women to become fully lubricated and ready for penetrative sex. However, it is best to abolish the idea of “foreplay” and the “main event” of penetrative sex and work together with your partner to create a fun and intimate sexual life where everyone’s needs are met.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/sexual-foreplay.aspx

The post Is It Healthy to Sleep Naked? 5 Benefits to Know About appeared first on Secretly Sexy.

Are you and your partner neglecting sex play? Learn how to add it back into your routine to boost your bond in and out of the bedroom. While “quickies” can be fun and spontaneous, skipping foreplay means missing out on a great way to connect emotionally and physically. According to Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a sexual health expert and researcher at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, foreplay is critical, elemental, and necessary.

Foreplay, also known as “outercourse,” is any sexual activity that occurs before intercourse. There is no single way to engage in foreplay, as it can mean different things to different people. It can involve kissing, caressing, cuddling, flirty texting or talking, massage, and oral sex. If you like it a little rough, biting, pinching, scratching, and spanking can be a turn-on. The goal is to increase sexual excitement, which can help prepare the body for intercourse. Foreplay is sometimes thought of as a warm-up for sex, but it doesn’t necessarily have to lead to intercourse. Some couples find foreplay itself to be sexually fulfilling as a main event.

The benefits of foreplay include lubrication of the vagina, an extended erection, and the prevention of premature ejaculation for people with penises. The female body pulls the uterus up when aroused, lengthening the vagina. This process, called uterine tenting, creates a pool area for semen, which is part of the reproductive sophistication of our machinery, according to Dr. Schwartz. As those muscles relax, the nerve endings start to get stimulated, paving the way for a more pleasurable experience. Research involving married couples has found that 1 to 10 minutes of foreplay was associated with 40% of women achieving orgasm during sex. That percentage rose to 50 with 12 to 20 minutes of foreplay and 60 with more than 20 minutes of foreplay.

If you want more action in bed, you have to let your partner know what you want. But talking about sex can be easier said than done for some. Dr. Lyndsey Harper, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas A&M School of Medicine in Bryan, Texas, recommends two sentence starters to try when expressing sexual desire to your partner: “I want you to…” and “It feels so good when you…”. If it makes you more comfortable, you can bring up your sexual needs outside of the bedroom. If you don’t know how to bring it up, she suggests starting the conversation with something like, “Our sex life is really important, and I’d love for us to feel open talking about things. Would it be okay for me to share with you some things I like?”

Communication comfort is closely linked to trust. To experience true intimacy and fun foreplay, trusting each other is essential, especially since our needs constantly change. Couples who find it difficult to communicate about their desires should consider seeing a couple’s counselor or sex therapist who can help them navigate these discussions.

• Foreplay is just play. Couples can engage in it however they want. According to Dr. Harper, it generally takes about 20 minutes of arousal for women to become fully lubricated and ready for penetrative sex. However, it is best to abolish the idea of “foreplay” and the “main event” of penetrative sex and work together with your partner to create a fun and intimate sexual life where everyone’s needs are met.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/sexual-foreplay.aspx

The post Is It Healthy to Sleep Naked? 5 Benefits to Know About appeared first on Secretly Sexy.

Are you and your partner neglecting sex play? Learn how to add it back into your routine to boost your bond in and out of the bedroom. While "quickies" can be fun and spontaneous, skipping foreplay means missing out on a great way to connect emotionally and physically. According to Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a sexual health expert and researcher at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, foreplay is critical, elemental, and necessary. Foreplay, also known as "outercourse," is any sexual activity that occurs before intercourse. There is no single way to engage in foreplay, as it can mean different things to different people. It can involve kissing, caressing, cuddling, flirty texting or talking, massage, and oral sex. If you like it a little rough, biting, pinching, scratching, and spanking can be a turn-on. The goal is to increase sexual excitement, which can help prepare the body for intercourse. Foreplay is sometimes thought of as a warm-up for sex, but it doesn't necessarily have to lead to intercourse. Some couples find foreplay itself to be sexually fulfilling as a main event. The benefits of foreplay include lubrication of the vagina, an extended erection, and the prevention of premature ejaculation for people with penises. The female body pulls the uterus up when aroused, lengthening the vagina. This process, called uterine tenting, creates a pool area for semen, which is part of the reproductive sophistication of our machinery, according to Dr. Schwartz. As those muscles relax, the nerve endings start to get stimulated, paving the way for a more pleasurable experience. Research involving married couples has found that 1 to 10 minutes of foreplay was associated with 40% of women achieving orgasm during sex. That percentage rose to 50 with 12 to 20 minutes of foreplay and 60 with more than 20 minutes of foreplay. If you want more action in bed, you have to let your partner know what you want. But talking about sex can be easier said than done for some. Dr. Lyndsey Harper, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas A&M School of Medicine in Bryan, Texas, recommends two sentence starters to try when expressing sexual desire to your partner: "I want you to..." and "It feels so good when you...". If it makes you more comfortable, you can bring up your sexual needs outside of the bedroom. If you don't know how to bring it up, she suggests starting the conversation with something like, "Our sex life is really important, and I'd love for us to feel open talking about things. Would it be okay for me to share with you some things I like?" Communication comfort is closely linked to trust. To experience true intimacy and fun foreplay, trusting each other is essential, especially since our needs constantly change. Couples who find it difficult to communicate about their desires should consider seeing a couple's counselor or sex therapist who can help them navigate these discussions.

• Foreplay is just play. Couples can engage in it however they want. According to Dr. Harper, it generally takes about 20 minutes of arousal for women to become fully lubricated and ready for penetrative sex. However, it is best to abolish the idea of "foreplay" and the "main event" of penetrative sex and work together with your partner to create a fun and intimate sexual life where everyone's needs are met.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/sexual-foreplay.aspx