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Health: Sleeping Naked Helps Body Get More Restful Sleep

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It could be time to ditch the PJs, T-shirts and everything else if you want a better night's rest.

The National Sleep Foundation says hitting the sack sans night clothes can have some health benefits that come from better shut-eye.

Dr. Karl Doghramji, the head of Jefferson's sleep disorders clinic, says a lower body temperature is better for more restful sleep, and a cooler environment at night helps with the primary sleep hormone melatonin.

"Body temperature may be one of the triggers to the emergence of melatonin, so cooler body temperature may be helpful to the emergence of melatonin, the helpful sleep hormone."

And while sleeping naked might be tricky for people with children, for couples it can enhance intimacy.

One survey found married people who slept without clothes were more content in their relationships.

And there's actually some old research about sex and sleep, with lopsided results.

"Sex actually prior to bed may be helpful for sleep but that seems to be limited to men not women," said Dr. Doghramji.

Why that helps men and not women wasn't studied, and while sleeping naked can help keep your body temperature lower, Dr. Doghramji says if you're more comfortable in clothes, you can always lower the thermostat.

One researcher said ideal room temperature for sleep is 68 or lower.

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