Everyone has their own bedtime routines, whether it\u2019s hugging a favorite pillow, sleeping in total darkness, or adjusting the blankets just right. But there\u2019s one habit that many people share without even thinking about it \u2014 sticking a foot out from under the sheets. While it might seem like a quirky preference, science reveals that this simple action actually plays a key role in helping the body fall asleep and stay asleep.<\/p>\n
According to Mar\u00eda Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ednez, coordinator of the Chronobiology group at the Spanish Sleep Society, our bodies naturally cool down before sleep through a process called vasodilation. This happens when blood vessels in the hands and feet expand, allowing heat to escape. By extending a foot outside the covers, you help your body lower its internal temperature, which signals the brain that it\u2019s time to rest. Babies display a similar behavior naturally \u2014 their warm ears and noses often indicate that their bodies are releasing heat to prepare for sleep.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Everyone has their own bedtime routines, whether it\u2019s hugging a favorite pillow, sleeping in total darkness, or adjusting the blankets just right. But there\u2019s one habit that… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t