Can pajamas really help you beat insomnia?

Whether you’ve been struggling with insomnia all your life or you’re one of the many people with what sleep neurologists are calling “Covid-Somnia,” missing sleep can be detrimental to your health, as well as your mood. The longer your insomnia persists, the higher your stress levels will soar when you encounter even the slightest inconvenience. Luckily, there are some easy ways to improve your relationship to sleep - and it starts with the moment you change into your nighttime attire.

Incorporating comfy pajamas into your nighttime routine can be a big step forward towards a better night sleep, especially when combined with the right supplemental nighttime activities. So how do pajamas make a difference in your sleep hygiene? Let’s explore the benefits they can provide for a more restful night. 

Get your mind into rest mode

Your brain is constantly using hormones and other methods to signal your autonomic nervous system. In the same way your heart rate will kick into high gear when you narrowly avoid a car accident, certain activities lead your brain to release hormones that lower your heart rate and help you relax. And pajamas can help you take advantage of these unconscious signals to get into bedtime mode.

After all, a nighttime ritual tells your body that it’s time to relax - and pajamas are the perfect way to kickstart the process. Slipping into soft, silky PJs feels luxurious on your skin, which immediately helps you begin to de-stress. 

Once you’re in your pajamas, limit your night to calming activities - whether that’s a quiet sudoku puzzle, a hot cup of herbal tea, a good book, or some soothing music. Whatever it is, ditch the phone and other screens beforehand. Your phone is a source of non-stop stimulation for your mind, and it can often activate stress hormones that make it hard to sleep. After sticking to your ritual for a few nights, your brain will get the hint and help you relax.

Regulate your body temperature 

When you’re tossing and turning at night, it can be difficult to keep your blanket in place. When your sleep is interrupted throughout the night, you are more likely to wake up feeling tired in the morning. The elevated stress hormones in your body after a long day of feeling fatigued will only keep the cycle going longer.

Pajamas are a perfect solution. They can keep you warm even after you’ve tossed your blanket off so you won’t wake up with a chill in the middle of the night. At the same time, they’re light enough that you won’t overheat and wake up in a sweat.

If you’re a hot sleeper, our Cool Cotton collection is ideal for warmer nights. This high-tech cotton blend is designed for superior breathability and moisture wicking so you can avoid waking up in a pool of sweat in the middle of the night. The fabric will also keep your skin and your sheets dry so you can avoid stinky sheets and skin issues.

Keep comfortable all night long

Everyone knows it’s a lot easier sleep when there aren’t loud noises or bright lights present. After all, it’s harder to relax if your brain is busy processing external stimuli. But you may not have considered that poor quality bed sheets and pajamas can wreak the same kind of havoc on your sleep. Fabrics that are itchy, wrinkly, and creased can torment your skin, keeping you from truly relaxing. Just like quiet helps you sleep, softer, smoother materials create less physical “noise” to stimulate your body.

Of course, not all pajamas are created equal. Tommy John’s Second Skin collection is designed to be silky soft and light to keep you warm and cozy while letting just enough air circulate to keep you from overheating. They’re also precisely designed and crafted to stay in place without bunching up, no matter how you toss and turn.

The bottom line

Beating insomnia will take some trial and error, but finding cozy pajamas that are comfortable to lounge around in doesn’t have to be a headache. At Tommy John, we make comfort a priority in every article of clothing we design. Each one of our designs has to adhere to our standards that focus on the three Fs: fabric, fit, and function. Our wrinkle resistant pajamas are designed to fit loosely and stay in place as you move so you don’t have to wrestle with your nighttime wear to get comfortable. 

Browse our Men’s sleepwear and Women’s sleepwear to upgrade your cozy bedtime clothes and relax into your evenings in style. Or if you prefer a little more flexibility for your home routine, our loungewear is soft and luxurious enough to sleep in, while keeping you presentable if you decide to leave the house for some takeout. No matter what you choose to wear to bed each night, make sure to incorporate enough time for self care. 

Remember, we’re underwear experts - not doctors! If you’re dealing with insomnia, please talk with your physician and get proper medical advice.