But this familiar sleep habit isn’t just about comfort. Science suggests it may be one of the easiest and most effective ways to help your body drift into sleep more quickly and naturally.
So why does the “dangling foot” trick work so well? The answer lies in how your body regulates temperature before sleep—and how your feet play a surprisingly important role in that process.
Heat, feet and sleep
As night approaches, your body begins preparing for rest by gradually lowering its core temperature. This cooling process is a key part of your circadian rhythm and is essential for falling into deep, restorative sleep.
“The drop in temperature starts about two hours before you go to sleep, coinciding with the release of the sleep hormone melatonin,” writes the Sleep Foundation. “During sleep, body temperature continues to fall, reaching a low point in the early morning and then gradually warming up as the morning progresses.”