Have you ever considered sleeping on the floor as a way to get a better night’s sleep or wake up with less back pain? It’s an unusual sleeping method that some people swear by, but is sleeping on the floor good for you?
I want to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of sleeping on the floor here, so before you try out for yourself, you can have some idea of what to expect and whether it might be right for you.
I will say that it’s not something that would be right for everyone. Even when looking at the benefits it offers, there are some serious health risks associated with sleeping on the floor that are going to be worse for some people than others.
Why Shouldn’t You Sleep on the Floor
Let’s begin by talking about some of the disadvantages. It’s not going to be a bed of roses down there on the floor. It’s not forgiving like a mattress would be. There’s no cushiony support, so you could easily wake up feeling achy, sore, and poorly rested.
If the idea of sleeping on the floor sounds appealing to you, then try lying down on the floor for a little bit and see how it feels. Do you suddenly feel uncomfortable? It’s going to get much worse than that if you sleep all night there.
This is the kind of new sleeping arrangement that you want to test out before you fully commit to it. Start by taking a nap on the floor or plan to spend just a couple hours sleeping on the floor rather than the entire night. See how you feel the next morning, and then you can make an informed decision from there.
Sleeping at such a low level on a surface that may not be cleaned very often is also going to pose some health risks and cause some irritations. The floor is likely dusty even if you cleaned it the same day.
You don’t walk across your bed to lie down, but you will have to walk across the floor to get to your desired sleeping area. That means you’re tracking debris from your foot to where you’re putting your head, and that’s not a good idea.
You will find more than dust down there on the floor. You’re also dealing with insects, their droppings, and animal dander.
The floor is also more likely to be colder than your bed, so you could wake up with a sneeze and other cold symptoms. The floor is more likely to retain a cold temperature than your bed is. Even if you turn on heat in the room, the floor is likely to be the coldest place in the room.
If you are wondering about is sleeping on the floor good for you, now you have a list of reasons why you shouldn’t do it.
The Advantages to Sleeping on the Floor
That all being said, there are some reasons that you may want to get off the bed and lie down on the floor for a rest, even if it’s not sleeping through the whole night down there.
Some people prefer the coolness of the floor, especially on hot summer nights. Others like the hard surface and how it provides support for their back. Not everybody is going to feel like their back is well supported on the floor. Others will just feel uncomfortable and achy.
If you have poor posture, sleeping on the floor can help. Sleeping on the floor is good for you if you’re trying to reduce curvature in your spine. That firmer surface can straighten your spine and neck and help with alignment. However, sleeping on a firmer mattress may offer the same benefits.
Sleeping on the floor every now and then can offer some advantages, but it might not be something you want to make a habit of. Those who suffer from back injuries or posture problems may benefit from occasionally sleeping on the floor and the level of support that provides.
If you can’t afford a firmer mattress or you’re not able to get one at this time, sleeping on the floor can be a good alternative to ensure that you wake up with a back that doesn’t feel painful.
Is Sleeping on the Floor Really Good for You
You probably shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor. While there are some minor benefits, you can get a lot of those same benefits just by choosing a firmer mattress.
Yes, sleeping on the floor means you’re getting some of those benefits of a firm sleeping surface without paying a lot more money, but the drawbacks and the risk to your health might not make it worth it in the long run.
You may have seen posts about “is sleeping on the floor good for you” on Reddit and in other places. If you really want to sleep on the floor, make sure you clean it first. Sweep it well, and follow that up with a thorough mopping.
This is going to get rid of a lot of the dust, dirt, and other debris on the floor, making for a more pleasant sleeping experience. It’s also a good idea to lay down a sheet or blanket on the floor or even a sleeping bag. This is going to put a clean layer between you and the floor and provide a little more comfort for you.
Is sleeping on the floor good for you in 2022? Most people are looking for ways to reduce how many germs they come into contact with and improve their level of cleanliness.
Especially with the serious coronavirus concerns throughout much of the world, sleeping on a dirty surface like the floor is probably not the best idea. While on the floor, you can experience nasal and sinus irritation by sleeping there. The next day, you could be sneezing, coughing, and suffering from itching eyes, making people wonder if you caught COVID or not. It’s not a good look.
Who Should Definitely Not Sleep on the Floor
Sleeping on the floor might be OK sometimes for some people as a way to get a firmer sleeping surface and enjoy some temporary benefits. For others, though, sleeping on the floor is a bad idea.
If you suffer from any serious health condition, it’s not a good idea to drastically change your sleeping arrangements like that. If you have trouble with insomnia or just not getting enough sleep, or low levels of energy, sleeping on the floor probably won’t help with that either.
If you suffer from allergies, then sleeping on the floor is not recommended at all for you. You can make your allergy symptoms much worse, causing a breakout or highly adverse reaction.
If you’re being treated for any medical condition or you fall into any of the categories above, you should talk to your healthcare provider before you try to sleep on the floor. There may be some health risks you’re not aware of and that you haven’t considered.
My name is Ellis Francis and I have been a personal fitness trainer, sports nutritionalist and health and fitness advisor for over 25 years. I am the lead health and fitness advisor at https://awellnessbody.com.
