Feet and sleep may be more intertwined than you might have guessed. Not only is it difficult to fall asleep - and stay asleep - if your feet aren't comfortable, but discomfort with feet during sleeping hours may be indicative of a medical problem.
Comfy Feet
Comfortable feet and sleep that is restful can go hand in hand. It's not uncommon for people to awaken from a deep sleep as a result of their blanket falling off their feet because it's simply hard to maintain a pleasant rest when feet aren't comfortable too.
Most people have a real need to ensure that their feet are comfortable while sleeping, whether it's a concern over the temperature of their feet or the position that the feet are in while trying to sleep. For example, some people adore wearing thick socks to bed while other people cannot fathom the thought of covering their feet with anything while sleeping. It's all a matter of what makes the individual most comfortable.
Medical Conditions Affecting Feet and Sleep
Although somewhat rare, there are medical conditions that can affect how feet feel during sleep. If feet are continuously uncomfortable during sleep then this can be an indicator of a condition that should be checked out by a doctor.
Here is a brief list of some of the conditions related to uncomfortable feet and poor sleep. Keep in mind that all these conditions are relatively rare, so just because your feet are uncomfortable while you're sleeping it does not mean that you are sure to get diagnosed with a medical problem.
- Buerger's Disease: This disease is an inflammatory disorder and can cause pain and other uncomfortable feelings within the legs and feet, particularly while sleeping.
- Restless Leg Syndrome: Although restless leg syndrome is not specific to sleep, the uncomfortable feelings can intensify during sleeping. This is a movement disorder that makes legs and feet restless and uncomfortable.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: This ailment can cause aches and pains in the feet and other parts of the body, and in some people these feelings are intensified while trying to sleep.
Uncomfortable feet while sleeping can point to a variety of other medical issues. Poor blood circulation and other issues might be the culprits when certain folks find that they just can't seem to get their feet comfortable while sleeping. Constant problems with feet and sleep is an issue that should be brought up to a medical professional.
Lifestyle Factors
There are plenty of other factors that can affect how a person's feet feel while sleeping. People who are on their feet constantly throughout the day, such as waiters or other similar occupations, may be able to ignore their feet's fatigue throughout the day but when it comes time to sleep they really start to notice the aches and pains within their feet.
Women who regularly wear high heeled shoes may find that their feet protest once it's time for sleep. People who exercise vigorously, especially with improper footwear, may find it hard to fall asleep because of how badly their feet feel when they lay down at night to go to bed.
Help the Feet for Sleep
Thick socks can help people get more comfortable at night if they have a constant problem with cold feet during nighttime. For people who have a particularly difficult time with keeping their feet warm during sleep can turn to products like foam slippers that are designed for diabetics but can be used by anyone who has problems with keeping their feet warm and achieving proper blood circulation through the feet at night.
For adults who want to reclaim their youth while also keeping their feet warm at night, adult footed pajamas (or footies, as some people refer to them) are available from several different sources both online and within retail stores.
