A recent survey of 1,004 Britons interestingly revealed what they wear to sleep, asking how that affects their relationship status. They found that 57% of the people surveyed slept naked and that these people were happy and content in their relationships. Of the rest, some slept in their pajamas, nightdress, T-shirt and shorts. It was found that 40% of Britons slept naked, as did almost half of the 55+ age group.

It led me to consider the factors that affect what we wear to sleep.

In the early days of a relationship, sex, intimacy, and the desire to be close are often a driving force in everything we do. Wearing something to sleep is often seen as unnecessary and intrusive, as the need to be close and enjoy the delicious sensation of skin on skin, body on body beckons.

– But, what about the pregnancy? During pregnancy and after the birth of their baby, many women feel self-conscious about their bodies. They may feel dissatisfied with the shape and size of their body, feel self-conscious about stretch marks or scars. They may feel undesirable, less interested in sex, tired from caring for their baby, exhausted, and cold getting up at night to feed and comfort their child. Wearing a nightgown or pajamas to bed can cover your modesty, as well as being a practical solution to your need to get up quickly when called upon without having to stop to get dressed.

– Modesty can be a factor if someone is involved in a shared house, either with tenants or elderly relatives. There may be concerns about being disturbed or needing to be alert if urgently needed at night. A lock on the bedroom door can be an effective solution, but some people may feel a bit unsafe sleeping naked.

– The disease can influence a person’s comfort when sleeping naked. Feeling sick can make a person want to feel comfortable, safe, protected. They may want to be left alone. Being in bed in your pajamas or nightgown can feel a little more private and less vulnerable.

– Shift workers often have erratic sleep patterns, as they try to sleep at varied times during the day and night. It can help if you create familiar associations with sleep that quickly inspire a warm, cozy, and restful atmosphere when you go to bed. Pajamas, nightgowns, and bed socks can provide those associations and allow them to rest, hopefully falling asleep fairly quickly.

None of the scenarios I’ve described reflect poorly on a person’s relationship status. They simply reveal how life over time presents situations that benefit from flexible and individual approaches. As a relationship evolves from heady drunkenness to the more practical state of kids, mortgages, stress, and work-life balance, a couple may still choose to sleep naked, but if they don’t, it doesn’t mean that there are problems between them.

– However, when there are serious tensions in a relationship and a couple begins to break up, there is often a desire to cover up and not be seen naked. You may feel too exposed and vulnerable to be looked at or touched intimately by someone you feel less close to; It’s too intimate, it’s not right somehow.

– Another factor may be if our partner has unfortunate bedding. They can also influence how we feel about sleeping naked. Eating in bed can be a turn off, just like dirty clothes on the floor or our partner wearing socks to bed. Reading, working in bed, and restless sleep are also things that can irritate a partner over time. Habits that didn’t occur in the early days of a relationship or seemed attractive at first can gradually start to distract us.

But don’t forget that some nightwear can be expensive, sexy and exciting; A beautiful nightgown, the lace teddy can make the wearer feel desirable and attractive to her partner. Wearing something sexy can be part of your sexy bedtime activity. Likewise, sleeping naked can be sensual, intimate, and a beautiful relationship enhancement. Touching skin, snuggling, being close can heal tension and stress. Naked you can enjoy the touch and feel of the cool sheets, move freely, not feel constrained by the bedding. And as Marilyn Monroe said, whatever she wore to sleep was a pretty lovely fragrance.