For thousands of years, people slept on the ground; mattresses didn’t become popular until lately. But despite having a wide variety of bedding options, some individuals still choose to sleep on the floor.
Although there isn’t much research to back up the advantages of sleeping on the floor, some people offer anecdotal proof that doing so helps improve posture, temperature control, and back discomfort.
There are several reasons why people choose to sleep on the floor. To reduce their discomfort, enhance their health, or obtain a better night’s sleep, some people desire to try sleeping on a firmer surface. Others can be a part of a culture where sleeping on the ground is customary. Others, like people who are homeless and refugees, might not have a choice in the issue.
Floor sleeping can refer to sleeping on a thin cushion that has been laid on the floor, such a yoga mat or tatami mat. Another option is to sleep without a bed frame or box spring, with a normal mattress put directly on the ground. In addition, sleeping on the floor might refer to doing so without a cushion, mat, or mattress.
What’s With Sleeping On The Floor?
Is it healthy to sleep on the floor? Sleeping on mattresses or futon beds is actually a relatively new concept, if you look closely at it. All the time, our forefathers had slept either on trees or the ground. There is data that suggests persons from ancient civilizations or those who live in woods have less musculoskeletal problems than the majority of us do.Benefits Of Sleeping On The Floor
Prevents Overheating
This is a typical issue, made worse when using a poor mattress. As you sleep, heat from your body might become trapped in the mattress’ material, heating up the surface and making you feel hotter. Additionally, it may interfere with your sleep.
However, there is nothing for your body’s heat to get trapped in when you sleep on the floor. Thus, overheating is avoided.
Can Treat Insomnia
One of the primary causes of insomnia is an uncomfortable sleeping surface. You spend the entire night tossing and turning, only to feel sleep deprived and weary the next day. Sleeping on the floor can be the best option if your mattress is making it difficult for you to fall asleep. Initial pain is possible, but after your body gets used to it, you should be OK.Helps Improve Posture
One’s posture can also be improved by sleeping on the floor. It corrects your posture by pressing your back, neck, and head into their ideal positions. And because it lessens back discomfort, this also improves with posture. Because bad posture can result from back discomfort, and vice versa.
Relax your body by lying on the ground with your back up. One of the first things you could see is how your body seems to adopt good posture on its own.
Because we spend so much time hunched over computers or slouching on the couch while watching television at night, a lot of us have really bad posture. As a result, you can have rounded shoulders, a weak core, and persistent neck and back pain.
Some individuals think that sleeping on the floor over time might help posture since it offers a hard, supporting surface.
Reduces Back Pain
It may be healthy for your spine to sleep on the floor. Your spine has a chance to readjust to its normal position since you don’t have a soft mattress caressing your body. When you’re on the ground, your bodily awareness is also more acute.
But watch out for your sleeping posture on the floor; it’s recommended to sleep on your back. Over time, sleeping on your side causes your hamstrings and hip flexors to contract, which causes further discomfort and stiffness.
Don’t forget to tuck a cushion beneath your knees or calves, which will assist your back assume a more natural bend.
Lowering Injury Risk
Consider sleeping on the floor if you are prone to falling off of your bed and risking injury. To prevent injury, some epileptics may prefer to sleep on the floor since they occasionally experience seizures when they are dozing off.
10% to 15% of epilepsy cases, either all of them or a portion of them, involve seizures when a person is asleep. People with sleep-related epilepsy frequently experience many seizures each night, and medication is typically used to manage them.
Doctors may advise sleeping on a mattress on the floor to lessen the risk of damage from falling in situations where medication does not completely prevent seizures. Since persons with sleep-related epilepsy can experience seizures both during a nap and throughout the night, this also applies to naps.
Can Help With Blood Circulation
The weight of your body is evenly distributed when you sleep on the floor. Your heart, lungs, and muscles will be able to work more efficiently as a result of improved blood circulation.
It’s crucial to highlight that due to the colder temperatures, sleeping on the floor can also be harmful for those who have conditions that affect blood circulation, such as anemia or diabetes.
Downside To Sleeping on the Floor
Even while sleeping on the floor may seem like the ideal position, there are certain drawbacks to take into account.It Might Increase Exposure to Allergens
Even while we like our dogs, we don’t always want to sleep next to their dander and grime. We might be exposed to a lot of pollen and dust mites while we sleep on the floor. This may result in adverse effects for those of us who have allergies, such as runny nose and other symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Even if you prefer sleeping on the floor, you could discover that the level of pollen exposure you get over the course of the night is too high to continue. The amount of allergens you breathe in night after night will harm your respiratory and long-term health, which might thwart your efforts to get better sleep.
It Could Worsen Back Pain
Many people may find that sleeping on the floor helps their back discomfort, while many others may discover that it makes their agony worse. The longer you sleep on the floor, the more likely it is that your back discomfort may worsen since there may not be adequate support or padding around joints.
If you discover that neither a soft mattress nor a firm mattress are right for you, give a medium firm mattress a try. It will provide you with more structured support while still having some give.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
It Might Be Too Cold
There is a potential that it could grow too chilly down there over the night, despite the fact that having a cozy, pleasant location on the floor may be a gift. As the night wears on, temperatures decrease; you could discover that it becomes too chilly around midnight.
The longer you attempt to sleep on the floor, the more likely it is that you may develop immune system problems and experience discomfort.
Can Be Uncomfortable
The fact that sleeping on the floor might be unpleasant is one of its most evident disadvantages. When you’re used to sleeping on a comfortable mattress, transferring to the floor might feel like an unwelcome camping vacation that never ends.
You could spend more time than you’d like counting sheep because the floor isn’t cushioned. Although some people claim that sleeping on the floor is pleasant, the stiffness might not be worth it.
Can Be Cold for Chilly Sleepers
While it may be useful in the hot summer months, sleeping on the floor in the winter may result in disturbed, restless sleep due to the possibility of being too chilly. The coldness can make you more prone to getting the flu.
Who Should Not Be Floor Sleeping
Even while some people extol the virtues of sleeping on the floor, there are other persons for whom it might not be a good idea.
People with limited mobility: Getting down to the floor and back up may be difficult for those with restricted movement, especially shortly after awakening.
Seniors: Our immune systems and bones deteriorate with age. Older people are more likely to find sleeping on the ground uncomfortable and are more likely to get sick from it.
Pregnant women or new mothers: While it’s debatable whether or not pregnant women should sleep on the floor, it might be challenging to sit down and stand back up.
