Most of the time, the OGT Team is a pretty easygoing bunch, but once in a while a conversation topic will spark a pretty heated debate. That’s precisely what happened after someone mentioned wearing socks to sleep.
I wasn’t aware before that that sleeping in socks might be a polarizing issue, and the whole debate made me wonder about the real pros and cons of sleeping in socks!
Related: This Is the Only Thing That Helps Me Sleep Without Feeling Groggy
In this post, I’ll be sharing what my research revealed about real benefits you can enjoy when you wear socks to sleep. (And don’t worry—if you’re really not a fan of wearing socks to sleep, I’ve included a few alternatives as well!)
Superstitions About Sleeping in Socks
While many people will or won’t wear socks to sleep based simply on their personal preference, others may be swayed by superstitious beliefs. For example, one anti-sock superstition suggests that sleeping with socks on will lead to nightmares.
But not all sleep-related superstitions about socks are so negative. In fact, one superstition states that sleeping with a sock tied around your neck will cure a sore throat! (That sounds like a choking hazard to me, but I digress.) And others believe that wearing a pair of wet socks to sleep is a surefire way to cure a fever or even a hangover!
And while these sock superstitions are mostly old wives’ tales and urban legends, that doesn’t mean that sleeping in socks doesn’t have real effects. In fact, there are actually four good reasons you may want to start doing it yourself!
Related: 9 Surprising Old Wives’ Tales That Turned Out to Be True
4 Surprising Benefits of Sleeping in Socks
1. Fall Asleep Faster
According to the National Sleep Foundation, warming your feet before you go to bed can act like a signal to your brain that it’s time for sleep. And a 2007 study seems to support that idea, which observed that participants who were sleeping in socks experienced faster sleep onset.
2. Prevent Hot Flashes
Wearing socks helps with the process of vasodilation, or the opening of your blood vessels. Dilated blood vessels make it easier for your blood to flow around your body. And good blood flow helps your body maintain a consistent temperature while you sleep, preventing things like hot flashes or cold sweats from interrupting your precious sleeping time.
3. Improve Cracked Heels
Tired of dealing with painfully dry heels and feet? Apply a moisturizing lotion to your feet before bedtime, then pull on a pair of cotton socks. The socks will help keep the lotion from rubbing off or drying out, and you’ll wake up with softer, smoother feet!
4. Better Sex
(Warning: If you’re not comfortable with sex talk, you may want to skip ahead to the next section!) As, well… unsexy as wearing socks to bed might seem, it may actually improve your chances of having an orgasm.
According to a 2005 news story, about 80% of the couples who participated in a study in the Netherlands achieved orgasm when wearing socks, compared to only 50% of couples who were not wearing socks. It might be circumstantial evidence at best, but it certainly can’t hurt to give it a try for yourself! ;-)
An Important Note About Sock Choice
Does it matter which socks you wear to sleep? On the whole, not really. You can wear ankle socks, crew socks, or fuzzy chenille socks—it’s up to you! But you definitely want to avoid sleeping in compression socks.
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Compression socks are great for long flights or as part of your workwear, but they’re not meant to be worn to sleep. The compression may hinder your blood flow to your feet when you’re lying down. But feel free to sleep in any non-compression socks you want to! :-)
Hate Sleeping in Socks? Try These Alternatives
Some people just can’t stand wearing socks to bed, and that’s okay! There are plenty of ways to warm your feet up to get the benefits I mentioned above, sans socks. Here are a few alternatives you can try!
- Enjoy a warm foot bath before bedtime
- Wear a warm pair of slippers for an hour or two before bed
- Sleep with a hot water bottle near the foot of your bed
- Sleep with an extra blanket draped over the foot of your bed
- Take a warm bath an hour or two before bed
Are you pro-socks or anti-socks when it comes to sleeping?
Until my mid-to-late 30s I slept naked year-round, including when I lived as far north as Vermont. And I turn the heat down every night to the low 60s. Then something changed.
First, I needed a T-shirt because my shoulders got cold. Imagine seeing a man in T-shirt and nothing else – very appealing. Then I added socks. Now, in my 50s, I bundle up every night. I’m summer, I may still need socks (but nothing else).
Yet I am not cold during the day. I love to be out in the cold weather. I do wear layers but love the feel of wind chill in the teens on my head.
I don’t know what changed that I need socks almost year round when I sleep
Please log in or create a free account to comment.just make sure to have a pair of flip flops /slippers if you get up during the night ( socks can be slippery on some floors )
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am 58 and never used socks to sleep until now! I realized two months ago my feet were really cold so first I wrapped them around with a blanket! until I changed my method for wool socks, now I am delighted! It must be menopause, could that be rather reason?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t like wearing socks to bed through I did until menopause at (started at 36 and done by 40). I do however have a heated mattress cover and fall asleep within 5 minutes now!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used to always wear socks to bed mainly because I was afraid I’d step on something like a spider or in something (we had dogs in the house that sometimes had accidents at night). I don’t remember when I stopped wearing them but now I have really dry skin on my feet. Sounds like it’s time to start wearing them again :-)
I don’t know if it’s true or not but my grandma swore by putting a bar of soap in a sock and putting it in the bed to prevent charley horses.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Socks only in the winter and then they only stay on until they wake me up because my feet are hot. Seems my cold feet are usually not the problem falling asleep, it’s my arms. If they are cold I cannot sleep so I always wear something long sleeved and the sheet and blanket have to be up over my arms and around my neck. I also like to sleep in a cold room, sometimes even with the window open. I do better with fresh air no matter how cold. I sleep with a mink blanket (it’s a Korean type blanket) and they are cozy warm. They have their place but not all night long.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Will I can’t say to much about these scientific studies. I find in a couple of years another study will contradict everything they said in these studies and their study will be all the rage for a season. How ever I always wonder if wearing socks to bed inhibits body temperature from cooling down as maybe they should during some of the sleep cycle? I of course don’t know it is just something I think about and now wonder if there is a scientific study on that.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.100% cotton socks only. Those polyester blends tend to cool your feet and have the opposite effect.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I start off with socks, but soon remove them, my feet get so hot that it’s uncomfortable! Since I started using a fleece to sleep in, I found that it wasn’t enough for my feet, so I bought another, precisely to fold and put across the bottom of my bed. It has the advantage over socks because actually taking off the socks wakes me up, while getting my feet out from under is simple and, though I still wake, it’s not so much, and I instantly go back,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can’t wear socks to bed – I overheat like WHOA.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hey there Hope. LOL….if I didn’t know better I’d think you were describing me and my feet. My feet always get SO HOT if I have anything on them. My momma has always been the same way. Those nice “warm” fuzzy slippers a lot of women love??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! (even in the coldest of winter). My feet would be drenched.
I have a home and small office cleaning business and usually take my shoes off and just clean in my socked feet (except when cleaning the toilet stool area) because my feet just ROAST!!!
As you mentioned, if I get hot at night, I usually just stick a foot out from under the covers for a few minutes. Truly wish I COULD wear socks at night, because I tend to have a foot fungus problem from time to time from my feet sweating atrociously after wearing shoes and socks all day, and I read that VICKS on your feet with socks at night works miracles for this. Tried it, but I just roasted and slept even less. GRRRRR
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can not go to sleep if my feet are cold so I have an electric mattress pad that I turn on. Unfortunately I usually wake up too hot at some point. I bought a couple pair of crew length cotton socks that are a loose fit compared to say my cotton crew socks. These are amazing…very light weight and a loose fit. I go right to sleep in them. I tried the fuzzy warm heavy fleece type sock…always woke too warm and had to push them off. These fancy knit look cotton socks are perfect.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wear compression socks at night because of these issues. I had a blood clot also. I’m going to have to do some checking now about wearing these to bed. I also use an oil from Amazon. It has lemon, grapefruit, grape and eucalyptus oil in it. I’ll have to keep an eye out to see if wearing socks hel p with varicose veins.. Hmm.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So THAT is why my mother used to pin a washcloth around my neck every night. Not sure if it helped, though.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My mom use to wet one of my dads hanky’s, place it in my neck then take his wool sock (had to be wool she said) and wrap that around my neck & hanky and pin it overnight. I always thought it helped. Lol.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Interesting about the hot flashes. I find that I get them regardless of whether I wear socks or not. But when I do have one, the first thing that gets thrown off are the socks. Next, of course, is everything else while I run to our garage freezer and try to climb in for the next twelve to fifteen minutes.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My Massage Therapist recommends Clary Sage essential oil rubbed on the bottom of your feed when going to bed to help stabilize hormones. I have tried this for the last 3 nights, and I’ve slept great for three nights in a row now! Hoping to continue this trend.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve worn socks to bed my entire life. My feet have a tendency to be cold and I suffer from extremely dry skin. I wear socks only, because I to find PJ’s to be very restricting and I can’t get to sleep. I also hate choker or small necklaces of any kind. Hate turtleneck blouses or sweaters.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.LaDonna, I used to be just like you, and that is still the most comfortable way for me sleep. I’m also the same with things around my neck as you are.
My aunt lives in Mexico City. A couple of years ago, we we’re talking after a moderate earthquake. She said to me, “Michelle, that’s the last time I’m not wearing anything to bed again. After 2 decades, I’ve finally learned it’s no good to have to run into the street mostly naked!” Hehehe!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Easiest solution for getting my feet warm fast: I put my cold feet on my husband’s warm, toasty feet! LOL
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have fewer foot band leg cramps when I wear socks to bed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Maybe wear the socks until your feet are warm. After a while I have to kick them off.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.They have nice, longer (than hospital ones) socks with slip guards on the bottom. Many online sites sell them. I have peripheral neuropathy and I have to wear socks to bed. I can’t stand the feeling of my feet touching one another. Sleep Well! …… Jillee…I love your blogs! Many of ideas you’ve posted I’ve already done, but there are so many I never thought of! Keep up the great work and God Bless You and Yours! Diane/Boston MA (I lived in Utah for almost 4 years… beautiful there!)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Diane, I have had peripheral neuropathy for years and tried many things. I sympathise with you. Finally I found very thin silky socks were fine in bed, but I also always make sure that my B12 vitamin (cobalamin) is taken regularly. One tablet a week. Too much may cause a little diarrhoea, so then cut back a bit. In the ‘cobalamin’ state it allows the body to absorb the whole of the tablet. Otherwise it is not easily absorbed. It certainly calms the nerves in the feet and toes.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Also if the feet are particularly painful. I take three drops of tincture of cayenne pepper in a glass of water. The instantaneous warmth and blood flow to theextremities is amazing. Actually I make my own having been a herbalist. It is a very simple procedure. You’ll easily find the method to make tinctures on the internet, but you can buy it from a health food shop. len.
My feet are often cold when I get into bed so of course I put on socks. 99.5 percent of the time they get warm, warm enough that the socks come off. Mission accomplished: warm feet, socks or no socks. Cold feet are sooooo uncomfortable!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Fill a cotton tube sock with dry white rice (uncooked) add a few teaspoons of dried lavender buds to the sock. I fill my sock to wear the striped cuff begins. Tie off, or sew shut, the top of the sock, as close to the opening as you can. Shake to distribute the lavender. Then heat for a minute in a microwave, wrap in a towel (it WILL be HOT). Place at foot of the bed, or put the sock on the sheets at the pillow line, then using the towel, push it down to the foot of the bed and hop in!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I hate wearing socks, but I read that hormone during perminopause can cause cold feet and in turn cause hot flashes, so about a year ago I started draping a lightweight, but warm, blanket over the end of the bed to cover my feet and all my hot flashes went away!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s very interesting to read other’s preferences. I do not know why, but I don’t like wearing socks to bed. If my feet are cold I warm up one of those bean bags (peas, barley, rice whatever they use) in the microwave and warm the bed that way. I use socks during the day to lubricate but not for bed. Perhaps I will give it a try if I have trouble sleeping.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was so glad to see this post today! Now I definitely know that I am doing the right thing. I have been wearing socks to bed for about 6 month now. I also give my clean feet a good rubdown with coconut oil, and I have to say I no longer have rough heels. At first I thought I they would be too hot on my feet, but actually is very comfy. I started out wearing knee socks, but soon realized that was too tight on the upper part of my leg. Thanks for the post for anyone that do not wear socks to bed.
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