Sleep expert reveals what not to wear to bed

Sleep is a vital part of life, which is why you should do everything you can to make sure you can sleep peacefully every night.

If you have trouble sleeping, you might want to think about whether you are wearing the right clothes.

Dr Deborah Lee, Get Laid Beds' resident sleep expert, has revealed what you should and shouldn't wear to bed.

Socks

Wearing socks to bed can help keep you warm at night, but there is a risk that they can reduce circulation.

"Wearing socks to bed, especially as you'll be in them for a long period of time, may decrease blood circulation especially when they're too tight," Deborah explains. "The best thing to do would be to ensure that your pyjamas, or whatever you sleep in, aren't tucked between the socks, making them even tighter. Another option would be to wear socks that are a size up from normal, definitely ensuring that blood circulation continues like normal."

She adds, "In a recent study, as many bacteria - such as E.Coli and pseudomonas - were found to be present on socks as on the doormat! Many people wear their socks all day and get into bed with the same socks on. This is very inadvisable."

Underwear

Wearing underwear in bed can cause a number of problems, including yeast infections.

"There is no reason to wear underwear to bed, especially knickers," the expert states. "Not only can this be uncomfortable, but it's good to let your private parts air out, as it keeps it happy and healthy. By letting the air circulate, you're letting less moisture around the genitals, meaning less chance of yeast infections and bacteria growth."

Tight pyjamas

Tight pyjamas can often be uncomfortable, which can affect your quality of sleep.

"Similar to the socks situation, tight clothing can restrict circulation and blood flow, leading to a worse night's sleep, and discomfort potentially waking you up," Deborah warns. "The tighter the clothing, the less likely you'll be able to move around in your sleep, meaning you might not be able to get comfortable during your snooze."

So what is the perfect outfit for sleep? According to Deborah, you should try wearing loose-fitting, breathable pyjamas.

"To get the best sleep, I'd avoid wearing underwear completely, and settle for pyjamas that are made from breathable fabrics such as cotton or silk," Deborah recommends. "Ensure that the pyjamas aren't too tight for you, but also not too loose either in case you get yourself tangled in the night, waking you up."