Many people prefer to sleep on the floor in the summer season to keep themselves comfortable and cool. Having a cosy and comfortable place to sleep at night is important because your body experiences a lot of stress during the day. The age-old custom of sleeping on the floor will never go out of style. It is believed that a lot of workouts are performed on the floor because it gives your body a stable base for training. Where you sleep also affects your health, and is believed to be a good way to soothe the body, mind, and spirit. Here are the benefits of sleeping on the floor.

What are the benefits of sleeping on the floor?

Here are some of the notable benefits of sleeping on the floor.

1. Improves posture

Poor posture can cause back discomfort and other issues such as decreased flexibility, spinal misalignment, and a higher chance of injury, found a study published in the Medicine Plus Journal. “It improves posture by aligning the spine when sleeping on a hard surface. It keeps the spine from sinking too deeply into a soft mattress. Sleeping on the floor also promotes grounding and the flow of bad energy from the body into the earth. This increases the quality of sleep, and the hard surface avoids tossing and turning and erratic sleep,” says Ayurveda expert Dimple Jangda.

2. Reduces back pain

Sleeping on the floor can be excellent for your back. While Ayurveda suggests that the firmness of the floor relieves back pain, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. If your mattress is overly soft, your spine may curve inward and out of alignment, resulting in increased back pain. However, before opting to sleep on the floor, you should think about practising some yoga for sleep to help you unwind and get ready for bed.

3. Prevents overheating and keeps you cool

The material of the mattress may retain heat from the body during sleep, which may cause the surface to warm up and increase your sense of heat. This can also lead to sleep difficulties. However, when you sleep on the floor, no substance can trap your body’s heat. This keeps your body from overheating and promotes calmness and coolness throughout the sleep cycle. However, there is no scientific evidence to claim this fact that sleeping on the floor prevents overheating and keeps you cool.

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4. Reduces pain on pressure points

Sleeping on a more rigid surface helps distribute body weight, reducing the formation of pressure points that can cause discomfort. Sleeping on the floor for back pain and sciatica is an excellent cure, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.

5. Can treat insomnia

One of the main causes of insomnia is an improper sleeping surface. Sleeping on the floor can be the best option if your mattress is causing you to have difficulties falling asleep. At first, you may have some soreness, but as your body adjusts, you should feel fine. However, there is no scientific research to prove that sleeping on the floor can treat insomnia.

How to sleep on the floor comfortably?

Here are some of the tips you can follow to sleep on the floor comfortably, as explained by the expert.

1. Choose the right surface

It is not necessary to sleep directly on the floor. You can use a variety of materials to soften the surface while retaining the benefits. You can use a tatami, a type of mat that has been used for more than 1,000 years by the Japanese. On the other hand, you could pick up a basic yoga mat.

2. Take a supportive pillow

When you sleep on the floor, use a supportive pillow that helps you maintain good posture by lining up your head, neck, and spine. You can use soft pillows for your head and neck to support it, or even use a rolled towel under your neck. Use simple breathable material like cotton or linen and natural fibres. When sleeping on the floor, be conscious of your body’s alignment and individual needs. Use pillows or rolled towels for sensitive areas like under the knees and lower back as well.

3. Keep the floor clean

Maintaining a clean floor is essential to reducing the risk of allergies and dust for people who sleep on it. Clean the floor where you sleep regularly to reduce the accumulation of dust, allergies, and dirt. With this practice, you will obtain the most benefits of floor sleeping.

Are there any side effects of sleeping on the floor?

Here are some of the potential side effects of sleeping on the floor.

1. May increase back pain

While some people find that sleeping on the floor helps them with their back pain, others may experience back and neck pain. This could be due to increased discomfort or spinal misalignment, according to a study published in the Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. Those who favour soft beds and sleep on their stomachs are more likely to experience it.

2. May become more prone to infections

If you sleep on the floor, you may be exposed to a variety of insects. You may become more susceptible to diseases, due to insect bites, and dust allergies, according to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Things to keep in mind!

• If you are experiencing prolonged discomfort or pain in the body, soreness, or stiffness in your back or other parts of your body, it is advisable to use a thin mattress or speak to your chiropractor or physiotherapist for additional attention.
• If you have sensitive muscular health, sleeping on the floor can increase soreness and reduce blood flow to certain areas due to the pressure.
• If your existing back and neck pain is getting worse, it is best to avoid sleeping on the floor, says the expert.