Khaberni - Dr. Alexandra Kodinko points out that many people expose one or both feet from under the covers during sleep without realizing the reason, while others do it deliberately to feel cooler.
According to her, the feet play a crucial role in regulating body temperature, as cooling them helps to fall asleep faster.
She says: "Before sleeping, the body's 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 can lead to insomnia. Exposing a foot from under the cover helps the body reach the required temperature more quickly."
The doctor explains that there are special blood vessels in the feet called arteriovenous anastomoses, which play a primary role in this process, as they form a direct pathway between the arteries and veins, bypassing the capillaries. In hot weather, these channels expand, leading to the blood being directed towards the surface of the skin and releasing heat. Since the soles of the feet are hairless, the cooling process is more efficient.
She adds that, conversely, an overly warm blanket may raise the body's temperature and disrupt the natural cooling mechanism, negatively affecting sleep. However, an uncovered foot under the blanket acts as a thermal regulator; the blood in the feet cools down and then returns to the general circulation, gradually helping to lower the body's temperature.
