Why sleeping with your daily-worn socks could sabotage a good night's rest

Sleep is crucial for our wellbeing and, thus, should be a priority in our daily lives. According to sleep experts from Mattress Next Day, wearing socks to bed could negatively impact the quality of our slumber. But why is that?

Contrary to popular belief, wearing socks to bed in the hope of relaxing the body or regulating body temperature may not always yield the desired results. The experts point out that wearing socks that we've spent all day in could have serious health implications.

The hypothesis? Socks worn throughout the day house bacteria that could transfer onto our bedsheets. Supporting their theory, researchers conducted an experiment where samples were taken from a selected group of individuals. Alarmingly, pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria were found present in half of the sock samples.

As highlighted by The Sun, this bacterium is commonly found in water and soil, and it's known to cause severe respiratory and urinary tract infections. Interestingly, other sampled objects had fewer bacteria, with the majority found on socks and doormats.

The experts advise that if warming your cold feet before bed, change your socks before climbing into bed or reclining on the sofa. Alarmingly, as many as 30% of us forget this vital hygiene routine. The compelling numbers from the conducted study underline the importance of this healthy habit.

The experts also recommend that socks made from wool or cotton are better options for sleep. Synthetic fibres tend to make us sweat and aren't beneficial for skin health.