Dr. Alexandra Kodenko points out that many people stick one or both feet out from under the covers while sleeping without realizing why, while others do so deliberately to feel cold.
According to her, the feet are an important tool in regulating body temperature, as cooling them helps one fall asleep faster.
She says: "Before going to sleep, the body temperature naturally drops by about one or two degrees, and this is necessary to transition into deep sleep. If the body cannot cool down, this process is delayed, which may lead to insomnia. But taking your feet out from under the covers helps the body reach the required temperature faster."
The doctor explains that special blood vessels in the feet, called arteriovenous junctions, play a key role in this process, forming a direct pathway between arteries and veins, bypassing capillaries. In hot weather, these channels dilate, directing blood towards the skin's surface and releasing heat. Since the soles of the feet are hairless, this cooling process is more efficient.
She adds that, conversely, an excessively warm blanket can raise body temperature and disrupt the body's natural cooling mechanism, negatively impacting sleep. On the other hand, feet exposed under the blanket act as a thermostat; blood cools in the feet and then returns to the general circulation, helping to gradually lower body temperature.
