Why Do I Sleep Better in a Recliner Than a Bed?

The recliner is a staple in any living room. We relax into one and watch our favorite team play, or we use it when caring for our baby in the middle of the night.

For many people, the question of “why do I sleep better in a recliner than a bed?” is as mysterious as the dreams you have along the way. It seems like a natural fit for our bodies. The comfort of the cushions and the angel of the backrest allow many of us to melt into our favorite furniture. Here are five reasons why the humble recliner may trigger sleep:

1. Alleviate Stress

Relaxing into a recliner is one of the ways we can get off our tired feet and allow ourselves to relax. The best recliners give you lumbar support, a neck rest, and the ability to angel yourself backward allowing your body weight to rest on the chair instead of on various pressure points on the body.

A casual observer can see that recliners are not very different from many hospital beds. In fact, many people recovering from surgery at home end up sleeping in a medical recliner or the recliner in their home due to the difficulty they experience sleeping on their side or on their back while on a bed.

2. Relieves Back Pain

General back pain can be reduced in a recliner because it takes pressure off the backbone. More severe conditions of back problems can also benefit from this feature. Spinal stenosis, for example, “is a condition in which the spinal column narrows and starts compressing the spinal cord,” according to Healthline. As the nerves compress in the back, a person will experience stiffness or numbness in the area that can be relieved by sitting in a recliner chair.

3. Deeper Breathing

Allowing your body to be angled away from your diaphragm takes some pressure off your lungs allowing you to take deeper breaths. As your body slows down, your breathing will become more regular. Also, mindful breathing is a form of meditation, which is known to help alleviate anxiety and insomnia.

4. Spine Alignment

The issue with finding a comfortable flatbed can be best summarized by Goldilocks trying to find the perfect bed. She comes across one mattress that is too firm and another mattress that is too soft. Finding the correct amount of support for your body is important for a good night’s sleep. If we are using a mattress that is not “just right,” some of us prefer the reclining chair that is tailor-made for support and the space it sits in.

5. Comfort in Safety

The simple design of a recliner can give you the sense of being in a comfortable chamber that comes equipped with armrests, leg support, and multiple cushions. Feeling secure may also lower your blood pressure and help blood circulation.

There you have it, 5 answers to the question”why do I sleep better in a recliner than a bed?”. Did we miss something? Are there other reasons you fall asleep in your recliner? Let us know in the comments below.