Quality sleep is essential to maintaining physical, mental, and psychological well-being. It helps the body and mind to heal, recover, and recuperate. That said, you will undoubtedly benefit from adopting good habits that can help improve sleep quality.
Perhaps you have already redecorated your bedroom to make it more favourable for sleeping. Or maybe you have learned how to meditate and do other relaxing activities to help you wind down before bed. If so, you may want to focus on another crucial component of good sleep hygiene—selecting the best sleepwear.
You may not realise it, but what you wear to bed can significantly impact sleep. Imagine what will happen if you fall asleep wearing your tight-fitting work attire. You will probably end up tossing and turning since you’ll feel very uncomfortable. Now think how you will feel if you change into soft and loose-fitting bamboo pajamas before bed. Doesn’t that seem like a more relaxing outfit?
However, it is worth pointing out that you need to choose your sleepwear carefully if you want to get a good night’s sleep. It is not enough that you look at styles, colours, and designs when buying women’s pyjama tops online. What you need to focus on, first and foremost, is the material. After all, the overall appearance and fit of the nightwear will hardly matter much if the fabric makes your skin hot, sweaty, cold, or itchy.
If you are unsure about what types of material will help you sleep comfortably, read on. This article will discuss seven of the best sleepwear fabrics, so you can decide which ones suit you best.
COTTON
Cotton is arguably the most popular sleepwear fabric, and for good reason. For one, cotton is soft and made of natural fibres. That means it is gentle for all types of skin – even the most sensitive ones. Unlike synthetic materials, cotton is less likely to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Besides being hypoallergenic, cotton is also lightweight and breathable. It allows air to pass through its fibres so you stay cool and fresh all through the night. What’s more, cotton is durable and easy to maintain. When it is time to wash, you can simply throw your cotton sleepwear into the washing machine and dryer along with the rest of the laundry.
Although cotton is an excellent choice for warmer evenings, it may not be ideal if you are prone to night sweats since it absorbs and retains excessive moisture. Your cotton pyjamas will probably end up soaked with sweat, causing discomfort and sleepless nights.
SILK
Another remarkable sleepwear fabric that can help you get that much-needed beauty sleep is silk, a natural material known primarily for its aesthetically-pleasing shine and lustre. Like cotton, silk is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic. This luxurious fabric also regulates body temperature exceptionally well. It can cool you down if you feel hot or keep you warm during cold nights. No wonder silk pyjamas and sheets are popular among women who experience hot flashes.
Essentially, silk is a fantastic option if you have trouble sleeping because of temperature issues. Perhaps the only downside of silk fabric is that it’s too delicate. Hence, it requires special care to maintain its quality.
FLANNEL
If you are looking for a material that will keep you warm and cosy during cold nights without overheating, flannel is the fabric for you. This popular fabric, commonly mistaken for a plaid pattern, is ultra-soft and comfortable. Wearing flannel nightwear is like receiving a warm giant hug on a cold day. And because it is made of cotton, flannel is also breathable, easy to clean, and low maintenance. It does not require dry cleaning, ironing, or other complicated processes. On top of that, flannel tends to become softer with time. Care for your flannel pyjamas the right way, and they will surely help you achieve comfortable and warm sleep for many years.
WOOL
You probably know by now how the thermal environment considerably impacts sleep. Exposure to too much heat, humidity, and cold can cause wakefulness and deter satisfying sleep—even if you do not suffer from health issues. Perhaps you have difficulty falling and staying asleep because your body finds it challenging to maintain the ideal temperature favourable to good sleep. If so, you may want to try wearing pyjamas made of wool fabric to address the issue.
Wool is a breathable fibre and is effective in regulating body temperature. It can help keep your body in its thermal comfort zone so that you can readily fall asleep and experience undisturbed slumber regardless of the weather. One study published in the Nature and Science of Sleep found that people who wear wool sleep much faster and better than those sporting polyester and cotton. As such, the researchers recommend that older adults and poor sleepers, especially those who sleep under warm ambient temperature, opt for wool sleepwear.
LINEN
A sustainable material made from the fibres of the flax plant, linen is another fabric that can keep you cool and fresh during the hot summer months. In addition to being breathable, linen offers moisture-wicking properties to help keep hot sleepers dry and sweat-free while sleeping. Moreover, it does not cling to the skin, repels dirt naturally, and has antibacterial properties. That means linen is a sound choice if you worry about your sensitive skin and want to sleep without feeling itchy or uncomfortable.
Although linen offers multiple advantages, it has a few drawbacks as well. For one, it is prone to wrinkling and shrinkage. You need to follow care instructions to a T to maintain its shape and quality. Linen is also more expensive compared to other materials, like cotton.
FLEECE
If the cold weather is robbing you of sufficient and restful sleep, you may want to consider wearing pyjamas made of fleece. As a material specially designed to mimic a sheep’s coat, fleece retains heat exceptionally well. It is also lightweight, quick-drying, and durable. And if you find the texture of wool a bit scratchy, you may want to try fleece as it is much softer and feels so much better on the skin.
Apart from all these remarkable benefits, fleece is also easy to maintain. You do not have to bring it to the cleaners or spend precious time handwashing it. All you have to do is turn the fleece sleepwear inside out and wash it in the washing machine using a gentle cycle. You can also use fleece pyjamas repeatedly for a long time since the material is made to last.
BAMBOO
Bamboo is another remarkable sleepwear fabric, especially during summer or when you are traveling to places where the climate is much warmer. This eco-friendly material is one of the most breathable and softest fabrics you can find. Bamboo feels silky and supple on the skin, which makes winding down and sleeping comfy and easy. It also has thermo-regulating features so that you always feel just right, even if the temperature in your bedroom drops or rises. And like other natural fibres, wearing sleepwear made of bamboo will not cause allergic reactions or irritate your skin.
The items described above are the best sleepwear fabrics available today. As you may have noticed, each one offers unique advantages to facilitate a good night’s sleep. Some can keep you warm and toasty during cold weather, while others can help you stay cool and fresh despite the warm temperature. That said, you may want to go beyond preference when deciding on the type of fabric for your pyjamas. Try to consider the weather, indoor temperature, and overall condition of the material to ensure your maximum comfort. Remember, good sleep largely depends on how comfortable you feel.