Want to sleep better? Stick your feet out of the covers

sleep-better

I don’t know about you but I like to sleep with the window open under a big, thick duvet. I don’t mind my face being a little cooler and I like to have fresh air circulating but I absolutely HAVE to have my duvet covering me. Regardless of the weather, from heat wave to cold snap – the only way I get a good sleep is to have my trusty duvet – if I get a little too hot, my leg comes out from the duvet.

Now, generally I sleep really well but I’m always interested in ways to sleep better…

Which is why this article in New York Magazine caught my eye. They suggest that to help you fall asleep faster and have a better quality of sleep, all you need to do is keep one foot or both feet outside of the blanket.

This is exactly how I manage to sleep with a big heavy duvet – the one leg out method.

Sleep researchers know that right before you fall asleep, your body temperature starts to drop; in the deepest stages of sleep, your body is at its coolest, about one or two degrees below normal. Some scientists believe cooler temperatures cause sleepiness, and although the pre-slumber cooling process happens naturally, there are a few things you can do to help it along, like taking a warm bath right before bed, for example. When you leave the tub, your body temperature rapidly cools, triggering that sleepy feeling. A warm beverage works the same way.

So, why feet? Feet contain blood vessels called the arteriovenous anastomosis, which — coupled with the lack of hair on the bottoms of your feet — are perfectly designed to help dissipate body heat.

So there we have it. If you want to sleep better – you’ve got to poke your feet out of the bed.

Do you do this?

Author: Rachael

I'm a journalist and creative consultant. I write about how busy women (just like you) can live, work and eat - better.

32 thoughts on “Want to sleep better? Stick your feet out of the covers”

  1. Yes!! This is exactly how I sleep who knew I was so fashionable that New York magazine would of cottoned on??!

  2. I always sleep with my feet out of the covers. A lot of times I stick my legs out too – I suffer from horrible RLS xx

  3. Used to always sleep like this, but in the last couple of years, I put sleep socks on as my feet get so cold. Another habit, I need to break.

  4. I sleep one leg out or duvet wrapped around my ankles with feet sticking out or something similar I can’t sleep with my feet covered at all.

  5. I hate leaving my leg out incase something grabs it haha! But I don’t mind so much in the summer and like to put it on top of the duvet x

  6. I’ve heard this is good but I don’t think I will try it! My feet will get too cold if they’re not under the duvet!

  7. I have to be wrapped up in something to sleep – even in summer! My husband laughs at me too as I take a hot water bottle to bed with me 11 months of the year!

  8. That would explain why my husband has much more sleep than me and doesn’t wake for the children, he is over a foot taller than me and his feet literally hang out of the bed!

  9. Hehe, I am a really snuggle bunny when it comes to bed time! I couldn’t bare the idea of me feet sticking oput!!

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