Have you ever noticed that sticking one foot outside the covers while you’re trying to fall asleep sometimes feels like heaven?
I have no idea why, but it helps expedite the trip to dreamland. Well, fortunately for you, the really smart men and women over at the Science of Us Sleep Institute explained why sticking one foot outside the covers helps you doze off.
It all has to do with regulating body temperature. The decrease of body temperature is a signal to the brain that it’s time for sleep. On average, the human body drops 1º-1.5ºF when you sleep. So, if you’re blood is a little too hot, the extra energy keeps you awake.
Feet, which are great for regulating body temperature, lend a “helping foot” in falling asleep. You can watch how in the video below:
Scientists are unsure as to the specific reason why the body cools as it sleeps. However, one theory suggests that because it takes more energy to warm the body at night, evolution decided to just shut it down and put it into a somewhat-stasis mode. This conserves energy for all those important survival skills, like gathering food (and mating–let’s not forget how much energy is required for mating).
So, in conclusion, if you haven’t already discovered that sticking a foot outside of the covers helps you sleep, now you have another trick for chasing away insomnia. But remember, kiddies, the monster in the closet loves toes, and yours look especially scrumptious.
[Featured Image Credit: Jeff Golden via Flickr]