Is Sleeping On The Floor Good For You?

When you think about sleeping, chances are you will picture a rest on your comfortable, nice mattress filled with plush blankets and fluffy pillows. While this is the way most people go to bed since they were born, sleeping on a bed, sofa bed, or mattress is a relatively new concept.

Yes, a mattress is comfortable, but many generations in the past slept on the ground and still evolved. This brings a curious question: Is sleeping on the floor good for you? Many studies have been carried out to answer this question, and the results seem to be shocking for many people.

Believe it or not, sleeping on the ground might provide you with many benefits. Keep reading to learn more interesting facts about this.

Benefits of sleeping on the floor

a. A more natural feel

Sleeping on the floor is something that humans have been doing for thousands of years. In fact, many people around the world are still sleeping on the ground.

However, today’s modern societies have chosen super-soft foam mattresses. Though this unnatural surface seems to be a good option, it would result in chronic health issues.

It is not that lying on any mattresses is bad; it is sleeping on a bad mattress which dips in the middle can misalign your spin, thus leading to serious spinal issues. Your body might adapt to those misaligned positions over time and develop unhealthy postures or curves.

b. Alleviate pain

Those people who suffer from back pain might try sleeping on mattresses with different firmness levels, from soft to memory foam. However, many overly soft models would fail to deliver necessary back support, thus causing poor postures and back misalignment during sleep.

Sleeping on the floor can provide better spine support and help to keep your back straight. Without the cushioning of a mattress, your body can adapt easily and distribute pressure evenly.

c. Reduce stiffness

In addition to relieving pain, you can reduce stiffness when sleeping on the floor. While lying on the mattress, mild stiffness would develop since your body typically ends up in many positions.

As a result, you can feel uncomfortable and experience soreness in the morning. By switching to a new sleeping style, this won’t be an issue anymore.

d. Enhance blood circulation

When your back faces the floor, the spine will straighten and aid in proper circulation of blood throughout the whole body. When blood flow is not obstructed, the tissues and muscles can get the optimum amount of circulation, thus enhancing your health condition.

Drawbacks of sleeping on the ground

The most apparent drawback of sleeping on the floor would be the potential exposure to dust which builds up over time. That’s why regular cleaning is essential to prevent allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Inhaling dirt or dust particles can result in a permanent issue on your health.

Additionally, cold might develop easily when you sleep on the ground during winter seasons. In worse cases, it might cause some illness and other permanent health risks. Breathing in the cold air might harm your lungs and restrict the blood flow. So it’s better to sleep in bed during freezing days and turn back to the floor in the summer.

Useful tips to have a good sleep on the floor

During the first few days, you might feel a little uncomfortable when sleeping on the ground. There might be also some signs of aches or pain when your body is trying to adapt to the new surface. That’s why you need to prepare your mind and remember that everything will end when you get used to it.

It is advisable to sleep with a thin pillow. This would help to elevate your neck and head just enough to get the right support. Avoid using a bunch of pillows as it might lead to some neck aches.

If you are a side sleeper, then sleeping on the floor isn’t recommended as it might cause discomfort in the shoulders and hips. Ideally, sleeping on the floor works best for those who often sleep on their stomach and back.

For enhanced comfort, try sleeping on a sleeping bag or yoga mat. These small items would provide additional support and extra cushion to your back so that you can stay comfortable all night.

Is sleeping on the ground suitable for everybody?

It might seem tempting to throw away your mattress bed and start sleeping on the ground. However, this isn’t actually a good choice for everybody. If you are suffering from a chronic health condition which requires you to get support from a comfortable mattress, then it is not advisable to sleep on the floor.

Besides, side sleepers might find it hard to transition themselves when sleeping in this style due to the increased pressure from a hard floor. This results in severe comfort to the shoulders and hips in the morning. Ideally, sleeping on the floor works best for those who often sleep on their stomach and back.

Final thoughts

In overall, sleeping on the ground have positive and negative impacts. It’s up to you to decide your style and place. The most important thing is to make sure that you always feel comfortable and supportive at all times.

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