When it comes to sleep, we focus on whether we have the right mattress, pillows, and blankets. Some of us have our bedtime rituals, like needing to sleep in a room that is cold or not being able to sleep without white noise or some kind of sound. But one small change in your routine can tremendously improve the quality of your sleep, and that change starts with your feet.
Sleeping with socks on can possibly change your life, and you don’t even know it.
Some people act like it is a crime to sleep with socks on, but it’s not as weird as you might think. Not only is it extra cozy and comforting, but it is also proven to give you better sleep. I think that this hack is slept on, and ever since I figured it out, it changed my sleep forever.
At first, this idea might sound odd to you. You’re probably thinking, “I can never sleep with my socks on, I feel so weird, and it’s most likely uncomfortable ”. But hear me out, that tiny bit of warmth around your feet can actually help your whole body relax, fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer. Sounds like magic, right? But it is not.n
Warmer feet equal faster sleep. When you put on socks, it can help regulate your body temperature. Wearing socks will warm your feet by opening up the blood vessels using a process called vasodilation (L’Oreal Thomson). When your feet are warm, your body will cool more efficiently, making it a lot easier to go to sleep.
In fact, “a small study published in 2018 found that young men who slept in socks fell asleep 8 minutes faster and slept 32 minutes longer than those who did not” (LaMotte). It is such an easy and simple change, but it can make a real difference, especially if you’re someone who tosses and turns for what feels like forever.
They have to be the right socks, though nothing too tight. The perfect sock to sleep in is either a fuzzy sock or a mid-ankle sock. A normal ankle could work too, but if it’s too tight, it won’t feel good. But in the perfect setting, a fuzzy sock is the best. That is also the one I use personally, and I can say it is comfortable!
Wearing socks to bed can also help with foot health. If you struggle with dry, cracked feet, putting socks on can help. You can lather moisturizer to clean feet and then, right as you go to bed, trap the hydration with a nice pair of socks (Doctorsinc). Imagine the instant relief in the morning when your feet are all nice, fresh, and smooth.
At the end of the day, some people may still argue that sleeping without socks feels more comfortable. That is a totally valid claim, but if you struggle to fall asleep, then trying to sleep with socks can be something worth trying. I 100% recommend it. Personally, I always sleep with socks on, and it’s the most comfortable for me. We’re all already wearing pajamas on our bodies to be nice and cozy, let’s try something just as nice for our feet!
Sources:
Conroe, in. “Doctor’s Inc.” Doctor’s Inc., 6 Feb. 2025, www.doctorsinc.com/blogs/cracked-heels-dos-and-donts. Accessed 2 June 2025.
LaMotte, Sandee. “Socks Could Really Improve Your Sleep, Experts Say.” CNN, 24 Mar. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/03/24/health/sleep-better-socks-wellness.
Payton, L’Oreal Thompson. “Can Sleeping with Socks on Help You Snooze Better?” @Onepeloton, Peloton Interactive, 25 Mar. 2024, www.onepeloton.com/blog/sleeping-with-socks.