Is wool key to a good night’s sleep?

Wearing wool pyjamas to bed instead of cotton gives up to 15 minutes of extra sleep, research has found.

Experts said wool helped keep the body in the “thermal comfort zone” most conducive to restful sleep.

Scientists in Australia carried out two studies of young and older sleepers.

Students in their 20s in the first group nodded off four minutes faster on average when wearing pyjamas made from merino wool rather than cotton, taking 11 minutes to fall asleep instead of 15.

They also enjoyed an extra seven minutes more sleep per night.

Woollen pyjamas had an even bigger impact on older adults aged 65to70.

They fell asleep after 12 minutes compared with 22 and 27 minutes for those wearing polyester or cotton.

Dr. Paul Swan, a researcher from the University of Sydney, said: “Not so long ago, sleeping under wool bedding was the norm, and science is now rediscovering the benefits of sleeping in wool.

“Maybe it is not a coincidence because wool regulates your body temperature far better, keeping you in what is known as the thermal comfort zone.

“You therefore not only fall asleep quicker and sleep longer but also have deeper, better quality sleep.

Enjoying good sleep has become increasingly difficult in modern times, and so anything that helps is great for your mental and physical health.”

The research was carried out in Australia over periods of nine and four nights and involved 17 students and 36 adults.

Participants were put to bed in British-level nighttime temperatures of 62.6 F (17 C), which is similar to Canada.