Many people share the same quirky bedtime habit—sticking one foot out from under the covers. While it might seem like a random comfort move,
science says it’s actually a smart sleep trick. According to María José Martínez of the Spanish Sleep Society, our bodies naturally
cool down before sleep through vasodilation, when blood vessels in the hands and feet expand to release heat. Extending a foot
outside the sheets speeds up this process, helping lower body temperature and signal the brain that it’s time to rest.
Babies do this instinctively too—their warm noses and ears show their bodies are shedding heat to prepare for sleep. Experts say you can enhance
this natural cooling by maintaining a consistent sleep routine, keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and avoiding heavy meals or caffeine before bed.
That single foot outside the blanket isn’t just comfort—it’s biology at work. By helping your body reach its
ideal temperature, it improves sleep quality and supports deeper rest. Sometimes, the smallest gestures—like
letting your toes feel the breeze—make the biggest difference in how peacefully you drift off.