You may prefer wearing your regular clothes to bed—or nothing at all—but there are a number of reasons why including pajamas in your nighttime routine is important. Especially when you’re traveling. A good set of pajamas are not only comfortable but light enough to keep your luggage manageable. Making them essential items to pack when you’re preparing for your next trip. 

Would like to know more about the benefits of sleepwear? Below are five reasons why you should pack some pajamas for your travels.

For example, if you’re taking a business trip, you might opt to go to bed in leggings and the button-down shirt you used for work. However, the snug fit of these clothes may feel quite stifling when you’re trying to get some rest. If you’re taking a trip to a warm location without air conditioning, an old t-shirt and denim shorts may not be enough to keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep.

Most pajamas, on the other hand, are loose-fitting. This allows you to move freely as you lounge around or sleep. They’re also made of fabrics that are soft and breathable, which makes them comfier than most regular day clothes. This is why wearing women’s pajama tops every night—and pairing them with nice pajama bottoms—is a great way to get a good night’s sleep wherever you are.

Travel Freely with Lighter Luggage

Most pajamas are made of light fabrics. They are easy to fold, so they don’t add much extra weight or take up much space in your luggage. This is great news for those who prefer to travel light and only pack the essentials. Regardless of your suitcase size, you can easily fit in two to three sets of pajamas without any trouble.

Stay Comfortable During Every Trip

Although there’s nothing wrong with wearing your leggings or dry-fit shirts in bed, these tight-fitting clothes are best suited for daytime activities. Pajamas are often made to be loose-fitting, which is ideal for sleeping since they don’t restrict your movements. They’re also made from comfortable materials that feel soft on your skin.

Cotton pajamas are perfect for those who sweat a lot while they sleep. Besides being breathable, they are also very absorbent, so they can soak up any moisture from your skin. If you want a more luxurious touch, silk pajamas are an excellent option. They are light, breathable, and buttery smooth.

Different pajama materials can keep you adequately warm or cool to suit the climate of your travel destination. For instance, if you’re spending your holidays at a ski resort, you might want to bring flannel pajamas with full-body coverage. The flannel material is thick enough to keep you insulated. It’s also breathable enough to prevent you from feeling too warm. If you’re heading to a country with a tropical climate, too much coverage may get you sweaty.

There are plenty of pajama sets with sleeveless tops and short bottoms, which are perfect for warmer weather. Pajamas made from linen or Supima cotton are especially great for hotter temperatures. They’re lightweight and even more breathable than regular cotton. With a set of pajamas made from these materials, you’re sure to get a goodnight’s sleep in all kinds of accommodations.

Treat Yourself to a Goodnight’s Sleep

If you’re jet-lagged or tired from a long trip, it might be easy to fall asleep in any kind of attire. However, if you’re the type of person who finds it difficult to get some shut-eye in an unfamiliar place, wearing pajamas can be an effective way to fall asleep faster.

Since pajamas are associated with sleeping, they can actually condition your brain to enter a calmer state of mind, especially if you wear them every night. Additionally, the comfort that pajamas provide also makes bedtime more enticing. Pajamas that properly regulate your body temperature are likely to help you fall asleep more easily. This is why it’s important to select materials and designs that are most suitable for your destination.

Promote Better Hygiene and Protection

Aside from being very cozy, pajamas are also hygienic and have protective clothing options. Since they’re dedicated sleepwear, you’ll always have a fresh set of clothes to change into before bed. This prevents you from transferring any dirt or germs from your used attire onto the bedsheets.

During your travels, you’re likely to stay in hotels and inns. While they may look clean and cozy, it’s best to take some extra precautions when sleeping in a bed that’s not your own. Wearing pajamas can protect you from insects that often inhabit bedding and mattresses, such as mites and bed bugs. If your lodging is a little closer to nature, wearing full-length pajamas can provide better protection against mosquitoes.

It’s also worth noting that you shed dead skin cells while you sleep. Those cells can contain a vast amount of microorganisms like bacteria. Wearing pajamas prevents these microorganisms from spreading onto your bedsheets, keeping your sleeping space clean. With this in mind, do make sure to wash your sleepwear frequently so they’re always clean and ready for your next bedtime.

Look Presentable (And Fashionable) Anytime

You can opt to sleep in your underwear while you’re at home, but that may not be feasible when you’re on a trip. You might be traveling with other people, like co-workers or friends, and the last thing you want is for them to see you wearing your unmentionables.

Even if you have a room of your own, you may need to get up in the middle of the night for a glass of water or call room service. If an emergency occurs, you need to be prepared to run out of your room at any moment. Rather than taking the extra time to get dressed, wearing pajamas ensures that you always look presentable on any occasion. Additionally, many pajamas come in very stylish designs, so you can still look fashionable even when you’ve just woken up.

Pajamas are simple but necessary clothing items for any kind of trip. They’re easy to pack, comfortable, hygienic, and stylish enough to take with you anywhere. While you could afford to go on a trip without them, bringing them can definitely enhance your travel experience, especially if you’re planning to get some quality sleep.