People slept on the floor for thousands of years — it’s only relatively recently that sleeping on mattresses became common. But even with so many types of mattresses to choose from, some people still choose to sleep on the floor.
While there isn’t much data to support the benefits of sleeping on the floor, some people provide anecdotal evidence that sleeping on the floor can help with back pain, posture, and temperature regulation.
Although some people tout the benefits of floor sleeping, you might want to consider using a firmer mattress instead. Keep reading to learn about sleeping on the floor and whether you should avoid it.
While floor sleeping with a mattress can be much more comfortable than floor sleeping directly on the ground, it’s important to understand the benefits of each. Sleeping directly on the floor is more affordable and has the benefit of being more mobile, but it can be difficult for some sleepers to adapt to sleeping on the ground.
Floor sleeping with a mattress is an alternative option that gives you the benefit of a cushioned mattress. However, it can also inhibit airflow and increase the risk of bed bugs or mites in your mattress — not to mention that it can also violate some mattress warranties.
Is sleeping on the floor good for you? Some floor sleepers anecdotally cite the health benefits of sleeping on the floor as a significant reason for their choice to forego a mattress, but you can decide for yourself whether you want to sleep on the floor or not.
While there isn’t scientific evidence to support the benefits of sleeping on the floor for back pain, some floor sleepers say that the floor’s rigidity keeps their spines aligned and relieves shoulder tension.
This argument is most prevalent when comparing the floor with mattresses that are too soft. If your mattress is too soft, your spine can curve inwards and be out of alignment, leading to increased back pain.
That being said, if you want to try to alleviate back pain, you might want to first consider doing some yoga for sleep to help you decompress and get ready to hit the hay before deciding to sleep on the floor.
Since heat rises, sleeping lower to the ground means you might sleep a few degrees cooler. Ideally, you’ll want to sleep in a room that’s 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you tend to sleep hot or cold, you might want to adjust the temperature based on that.
However, with the advanced technology of cooling mattresses that are designed with perforations to regulate your temperature, you can sleep cool on a mattress, without the need to sleep on the floor.
When you sleep on the floor, your body weight is distributed evenly. This can help improve your blood circulation, allowing your heart, lungs, and muscles to function effectively.
However, it’s important to note that floor sleeping can also be bad for people with blood circulation issues like anemia or diabetes because of the chillier temperatures.
Although humans spent much of history sleeping on the floor, there’s a reason that we invented mattresses and haven’t looked back. There are some significant disadvantages of sleeping on the floor that you should consider.
One of the most obvious drawbacks of sleeping on the floor is how uncomfortable it can be. When you’re used to a cozy mattress, switching to sleeping on the floor can feel like an unwanted camping trip that just keeps going.
With the lack of cushioning on the floor, you might be up counting sheep more often than you’d like. While some report soothing benefits of sleeping on the floor, it may not be worth the soreness.
Is sleeping on the floor bad for your back? While some people report that sleeping on the floor can worsen their back pain, there’s not much scientific research on this topic.
If you feel like your back is hurting from your mattress, it may just be that your mattress is too soft. Harvard Medical School suggests placing a piece of plywood under your mattress or setting your mattress directly on the floor first to see if it helps remedy your back pain.
If you suffer from bedroom allergies, sleeping on the floor may not be the best idea. Your floor takes a lot of wear and tear, collecting dust, dirt, mites, and skin cells throughout the day that can lead to allergies at night.
People who consistently sleep on the floor may see an increase in these symptoms:
If you’re going to sleep on the floor, be sure to consistently dust and vacuum your bedroom and consider investing in a dehumidifier or air filter to trap allergens, mold, and mildew.
While it can be advantageous during the hot summer months, sleeping on the floor during the winter means you might be too cold for comfort, leading to disrupted, restless sleep. You may also be more susceptible to catching a cold from the chill.
Sleeping on the floor can take time to adjust to; some people may never get used to it. If you want to increase deep sleep, consider taking a look at your bedtime habits before making the change to the floor.
While some people rave about the benefits of sleeping on the floor, there are certain groups that it may not be recommended for.
If you’re going to sleep on the floor, you should follow the proper steps so your body can adjust to the new sleeping environment.
Sleeping on your back is the best position for floor sleeping. Your spine is naturally much more aligned on your back than on your side, and the greater surface area allows your weight to be distributed more evenly across your body.
If you’re a back sleeper, consider adding a small pillow under your knees to alleviate pressure on your lower back when sleeping on the floor.
Nearly three in four people are side sleepers — but sleeping on the floor is not recommended for people who like to doze in this position. Side sleepers should be cautious about sleeping on the floor since the firm foundation can put your spine in an uncomfortable position, meaning you might wake up feeling sore.
If you want to try sleeping on the floor, you should use some cushion or padding to help support your body. A mattress pad is an excellent option for side sleepers to support and reduce pressure on your spine.
Sleeping on your stomach commonly results in spinal discomfort from putting your back and neck in an uncomfortable position at night. However, some stomach sleepers have anecdotally stated that sleeping on the floor reduces the adverse effects of stomach sleeping. If you’re a stomach sleeper, try using a slim pillow to minimize neck strain while sleeping on the floor.
Since there isn’t much research to compare the benefits of sleeping on the floor to sleeping on a mattress, it’s tough to conclude whether sleeping on the floor is good for you or not.
However, you might want to look at your mattress before deciding to sleep on the floor. Have you been waking up feeling sore or uncomfortable? Do you tend to sleep hot and want a sleeping situation that keeps you cool all night?
If you’re looking for support, breathability, and comfort, you might just need the right mattress — without the uncomfortable floor.
