Sleeping on the floor: benefits and harm for the back and spine

Sleep is the most important need of the human body. During sleep, the body restores strength, so in the morning a person wakes up alert and rested. However, this is not always the case. Some people complain that sleep does not bring them complete rest, and the next morning they experience weakness and lethargy.

In some cases, the reason for this is an uncomfortable sleeping place. In this case, you should try sleeping on the floor. Let's look at whether it is possible to sleep on the floor, is such sleep beneficial or, conversely, harmful to the body?

Is it good to sleep on the floor?

During the day, the human spine experiences considerable stress. If you sleep on a bed that is too soft or uncomfortable, you can provoke curvature of the spine, the development of osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Sleeping on a hard surface helps prevent this. You can purchase a high-quality orthopedic mattress that will support the spine in the correct position, or you can try sleeping on the floor. The Japanese traditionally sleep on the floor and consider such sleep to be very beneficial for health. Sleeping on the floor has many benefits:

The spine does not bend during sleep, remaining in the correct, physiological position. This helps maintain good posture, avoid many spinal diseases and reduce discomfort and pain if any.
When a person sleeps on a hard surface, his body takes the most comfortable position, due to which the quality of sleep improves, and the body gets the opportunity to fully rest and recover.
Blood circulation improves, skin cells rejuvenate.
The risk of pelvic organ prolapse is reduced.
The process of removing waste and toxins from the body is activated.
Liver function improves and blood is purified better.
Dust and germs often accumulate in the bed and are difficult to clean. But the floor is easy to clean.
As you know, in rooms, warm, dry air rises upward, and cool, humid air circulates below. Cool air and normal humidity are more beneficial for healthy sleep. This is especially important in the hot season.
You can easily choose a place to sleep on the floor - near the window, away from the radiator, etc. You can move your sleeping place depending on the weather and other conditions. The bed cannot be moved so easily.

Pros, cons and contraindications for sleeping on hard surfaces

Sleeping on the floor is useful (if there are no contraindications) - and here's why:

posture is corrected - on a hard surface the line of the spine remains straight - this happens under the weight of your own body;
sleep quality improves – an unsuitable mattress and an uncomfortable pillow are common causes of poor sleep. Of course, a hard surface does not guarantee that insomnia will go away, but it’s worth a try. You sleep much better in a cool place - cold air “walks” along the floor, and warm air is forced upward. It will be especially comfortable for those who sweat at night - the mattress absorbs some of the heat, heats up and often “wakes you up” in the middle of the night;
the sleeping area remains clean - many microbes live in the mattress, and dust and dirt also accumulate. There will be no such problems with a rug or tatami - at least they are easier to clean than a bed;
muscles are worked out - on too hard a surface the muscles serve as support for the body - rolling from one sleep position to another can be compared to the technique of self-massage using a special roller;
blood circulation improves - orthopedic memory foam mattresses limit movements and “lock” the body in one position all night - hence muscle stiffness, pain and tightness. On the floor, the body weight is distributed evenly - the blood circulates fully.

Giving up the usual bed in favor of a hard surface is not suitable for everyone - there are some disadvantages:

at first it will be uncomfortable - if you’re not used to it, you’ll hardly be able to fall asleep quickly, especially if you sleep on your side;
there is no guarantee that your posture will straighten - the spinal column has curves, it is not perfectly straight, but an overly hard mattress, like an overly soft one, does not support its natural position. It is important to rest at night - long-term physical overexertion can lead to muscle weakness (a condition when muscles stop working);
back pain may intensify - orthopedic mattresses adapt well to the curves of the body, but a hard floor does not - there is space between the surface and the body. Without a bed with zonal support (spring block), the entire load goes on the hips, tailbone, arms, shoulder blades and pelvic bones;
pressure on joints and soft tissues can affect those who have musculoskeletal diseases (arthritis, arthrosis, osteoporosis). And dust on the floor can provoke reactions in allergy sufferers;
there is a risk of catching a cold - people with anemia, diabetes and weakened immune systems should not overcool - a cold floor (if it does not have a heating function) can further weaken the immune system, and then it will be easier for infections to enter the body;

How to prepare a sleeping place

Before moving from the bed to the floor, you need to prepare your sleeping area. First of all, it should be understood that sleeping on the floor does not mean the complete absence of any kind of bed. Sleeping on a completely hard surface is uncomfortable and harmful. In this position, the body muscles cannot relax, and the blood vessels will be pinched, impairing blood circulation. And it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to sleep normally on a bare floor. Therefore, you need to prepare the bed.

It is best to choose a dense mattress for sleeping, into which the body will not sink. The mattress can be replaced with a thick rug or blanket. A gymnastics mat or yoga mat works well. You need to lay a sheet on top of the mattress or rug.

Some people wonder: should you sleep with or without a pillow? It is best to place a small flat pillow or cushion under your head. The roller can be made from a rolled up blanket. It is not advisable to use a regular large pillow - the neck will be raised too much. Sleeping without a pillow is also not very useful, since the neck muscles will not have proper support and will begin to ache. You can cover yourself with a regular blanket, or on hot days with a blanket or sheet.

For a comfortable sleep, you need to choose the right place. It is best to place the bed away from windows and heating appliances. Under no circumstances should you sleep on a cold floor; this is harmful and risks hypothermia. If the floor is concrete, care must be taken to ensure that the bed is warm enough. There should be no drafts in the room during sleep. If there is a door or window nearby, it is better to close them.

Before going to bed, you need to wash the floor. It is advisable to do this daily, since dust accumulates in the room during the day, which you will then have to breathe all night long. It is especially pleasant to sleep on a freshly washed floor in the summer, on a hot night. In the evening, the room should be well ventilated.

It is advisable to choose a place where there is enough space to freely stretch your arms and legs. To do this, you need to move away from the furniture. Comfort while sleeping is of great importance. You also need to warn family members about your desire to sleep on the floor so that no one accidentally steps on the sleeping person or trips over him.

The benefits of sleeping on the floor and how to do it correctly

Experts have proven that sleeping on hard floors is beneficial. This type of rest is indicated for back and lower back pain. But healthy people should also pay attention to their sleeping place. Incorrect body position during sleep leads to many health problems.

Who benefits from sleeping on the floor?

During the day, the spine is exposed to significant stress, because it plays the role of support for the whole body. Therefore, he especially needs rest. You should not buy a bed or sofa that is too soft. The surface should support the natural position of the spine. If you feel groggy or tired after resting, it means the mattress is not selected correctly.

Sleeping on a hard surface is useful for back problems and spinal diseases, since the main source of such problems is an improperly equipped sleeping place. As a result, the body takes an unnatural position, which negatively affects health.

The following facts support sleeping on a hard surface:

The body weight is distributed evenly, the spine takes a natural position and does not experience additional stress. As a result, a person acquires correct posture. Sleeping on a hard surface, but not on boards, is an excellent prevention of back diseases;
It is noticed that a person feels more rested in the morning. This effect is due to improved blood circulation. Tissues and organs are sufficiently provided with oxygen, which leads to sound and complete sleep;
Good blood flow promotes rapid cell renewal. The whole body is rejuvenated;
Due to better functioning of internal organs, the body is naturally cleansed of harmful substances;
The liver filters the blood and improves its composition;
Over time, familiar beds become a source of dust and pathogens that are difficult to remove. And sanitizing the floor is extremely simple;
According to the laws of physics, hot air is at the top, and fresh and saturated with moisture is at the bottom. Lying on the floor, a person gets the opportunity to inhale oxygen-enriched air, which has a positive effect on the functioning of the body;
It's easy to choose a place to rest on the floor. Due to its large dimensions, it is not always possible to place a stationary sleeping place where you want. Sleeping on the floor easily solves this problem.

But you shouldn’t get too carried away with this practice. Sleeping on a completely hard surface without anything underneath is harmful to your health. Therefore, it is necessary to properly equip the future sleeping place.

How to properly arrange a sleeping area on the floor

An uncomfortable sleeping place leads to many problems over time. In particular, diseases of the musculoskeletal system - osteochondrosis, scoliosis, radiculitis. When arranging a bed on a hard surface, blood circulation and overall well-being improve, and proper rest is ensured.

To prevent muscle pain after sleep, you need to take a responsible approach to choosing a covering. Some people purchase orthopedic mattresses. But such a purchase requires serious financial costs. You can find a sheet of thick plywood, lay it on the bed and lie on top. But most people prefer to just sleep on the floor.

Initially, you should thoroughly wash the surrounding area and remove all dust. It is better to carry out wet cleaning daily. It is advisable to ventilate the room so that the air is enriched with fresh oxygen.

A surface that is too hard without any covering does not allow a person to fully relax and interferes with normal blood circulation, resulting in the body not resting during the night. You can choose a mattress with a dense structure, a gymnastics mat or an ordinary blanket. Then lay a sheet on the makeshift bed.

In order not to block the flow of blood to the brain, it is necessary to support the head in the desired position. A compact flat pillow or cushion is suitable for this. They are sold in specialized stores. You can make a roller yourself. To do this, just tightly roll up any blanket you have at home. You need to cover yourself with something that will be comfortable to sleep under. In winter - a blanket, in summer - a sheet.

It is best to place the bed away from possible sources of drafts, hot radiators or heaters. Windows and doors must be closed. It is extremely undesirable to sleep on an icy surface - you can become hypothermic overnight. If the floor in the apartment is made of concrete, then it is necessary to additionally insulate the bed so that it does not allow the cold to pass through.

The space in which the bed is arranged must be free. A person needs to be able to stretch out without hindrance and spread his limbs. Family members should be warned about the intention to lie on the floor so that they do not accidentally step on or trip over the body.

How could such a dream be dangerous?

If you approach the arrangement of your bed correctly, choose a thick mattress and a suitable place in your apartment for sleeping, then sleeping on the floor is not at all harmful, but beneficial. At first there may be discomfort. It will be especially uncomfortable to sleep on your side. But gradually the body adapts and finds the most suitable position itself. Within a few days, back and joint pain will begin to go away, and the quality of rest will significantly improve.

You can first prepare yourself to sleep on a hard surface. Buy an orthopedic mattress and sleep on it for a while before moving from the bed to the floor. As a result, the body will learn to independently choose the most suitable position, and the discomfort will disappear.

Sleeping on hard floors causes negative consequences in the following cases:

Placing a sleeping place in a draft leads to the appearance of colds;
The absence of a pillow or its incorrect choice causes pain in the cervical spine;
Insufficient hygienic treatment can provoke an allergic reaction.

Sleeping on a hard surface is a healthy habit. If these rules are followed, it improves the quality of rest. At first you will have to endure some inconvenience, but your good health will compensate for the slight discomfort.

source https://zozhmania.ru/ozdorovlenie/chem-polezen-son-na-polu

How to sleep on the floor correctly

At first, sleeping on the floor may seem very uncomfortable. But don't worry. Within a week, the discomfort will go away, your back will stop hurting, and your vacation will become complete and enjoyable. As a rule, in the first days it will be very uncomfortable to sleep on your side - the pelvic bones, resting against a hard surface, will cause inconvenience. Therefore, for now it is better to lie on your back. This will be especially convenient for pregnant women who find it difficult to sleep on a soft bed.

Over time, the body will get used to it and will take the most comfortable position. It is comfortable to lie on your back with your knees bent. In this position, the pelvis relaxes and the body weight is distributed evenly.

If you want to try sleeping on the floor, but it is difficult to overcome the discomfort, you can purchase a hard orthopedic mattress and sleep on it for a while. Gradually, the body will get used to resting on a hard surface, and moving to the floor will not cause much inconvenience.

Is it harmful to sleep on a soft surface?

A mattress that is too soft is harmful to the body. Relaxation is beneficial when the mattress supports the spine correctly. A soft surface does not have these properties because it cannot hold the body in the correct position for relaxation. Insufficient fixation leads to the following consequences:

Painful sensations in the morning.
Pain in the cervical-brachial region, compression of nerves.
Development of spinal curvature.
Load on internal organs due to incorrect position.

If you sleep only on a soft bed for a long time, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems may develop.

Important! Only overly soft surfaces, such as beds with a metal spring and a thick mattress from the 60s of the 20th century, cause harm to the body. Moderately soft mattresses do not cause significant harm.

Proper organization of sleeping on the floor

To avoid breathing dust, cleaning must be done daily.
The floor is the place where dust accumulates, settling from the air. If a person sleeps on the floor, he involuntarily inhales it. This can cause an outbreak of bronchopulmonary infection or an acute allergic reaction. To prevent such developments, you need to wash and vacuum the floor surface more often than usual - at least twice a day. The room in which the sleeping place will be arranged must be well ventilated in the morning and evening.

The following rules must also be observed:

A thin mattress (a cotton blanket folded in half) should be placed on the floor. It is best if the floor is made of painted boards or covered with parquet - linoleum, especially new ones, can emit harmful substances that are unsafe to breathe.
The mattress should be placed in a place that is far enough from the front door, window and central heating radiator - while sleeping, a person should not experience discomfort from heat or draft, too dry or cold air.
You need to place a flat pillow under your head, which can be replaced over time with a cushion placed under your neck so that your head barely touches the surface of the mattress. You can buy such a roller at a specialized orthopedic store or make it yourself. You should not sleep without a pillow at all, since the neck muscles need to be supported.

It is most convenient to sleep with a cushion under your neck on your back, since when you turn your torso on its side, the neck and head take on an unnatural position, causing discomfort to the person. A useful habit that allows you to correct poor posture is developed easier and faster when using such a device.