If you have trouble falling asleep at night, you’re hardly alone. Millions and millions of people suffer from some form of insomnia. There are drugs that can help, but they tend to be addictive — more trouble than they’re worth. Some people have found relief through breathing techniques and meditation (or counting sheep, for that matter). But there’s another thing that can help you get to sleep, though you might never have guessed it: wearing socks to bed! Believe it or not, researchers at the highly respected University of Groningen in Holland have actually studied the question of wearing socks to bed. They’ve found that there really are benefits. When socks warm your feet, they also dilate blood vessels. That actually tells your brain it’s time to go to sleep.
Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland have confirmed this finding. Additionally, increased blood flow can help people who suffer from Reynaud’s syndrome (also known as “white fingers”), a condition in which blood vessels in the hands (and sometimes feet) react abnormally to cold.
Listen up, ladies! Wearing socks to bed can be great for your sex life. Another study found that wearing socks dramatically increases a woman’s likelihood of achieving orgasm. Yes, really! Part of the reason may be that, subconsciously at least, socks help the wearer feel safe and comfortable.
One more benefit, not nearly so sexy, of wearing socks to bed concerns heel health. If the skin on your heels becomes dry enough, it can crack, greatly increasing the chances of a bacterial or fungal infection. If you have this problem, try moisturizing your feet and then slipping on a fresh, clean pair of socks before you turn in.
Surprised to hear what socks can do for you? Let us know in the Facebook comments and don’t forget to like and share!
