It’s not a surprise to know that some people have beds in their bedrooms but rarely sleep on them. Our ancestors didn’t have beds to rest on and they hardly had the time to lay down and sleep. Some slept on their horses, others under trees in the field while others on the ground in the open fields. We, on the other hand, have become spoiled with comfort and the need to improve our quality of life. Sleeping on the floor is especially common among the Asian countries and it has its own benefits for your body and health.
However, before you put your mattress on the floor, there are a few things you need to consider.
Check the mattress warranty
Make sure you read the fine print on the mattress warranty. Some of the mattress companies have outlined specific bed setups in their warranty that may render the warranty void if you put the mattress on the floor. However, nowadays many newer mattresses don’t need a traditional box spring, they can be placed on any flat, sturdy surface including the floor.
Consider your mattress construction and materials
The way your mattress is constructed and the materials used are very important. Without a proper base that raises the mattress from the floor which helps air to circulate freely below and around, the mattress may trap in moisture and heat. This can cause problems if you sweat a lot or if you sleep hot. If you live in very humid environments, putting your mattress on the floor wouldn’t be a good idea. The moisture and heat can cause mold and ruin your mattress. However, given the right conditions, you can sleep on a foam mattress with innerspring like the Tempurpedic mattress that has pocketed coils to encourage increased airflow and breathability.
Benefits of sleeping on a mattress without a foundation
You spend less
As mentioned earlier, many mattress companies nowadays have designed new mattresses that work on any solid surface including the floor, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money buying a bed base or foundation if you don’t want to. Most bed foundations and bases are quite expensive and by placing your mattress directly on the floor, you save a lot.
Improves overall blood circulation
Sleeping on the floor is beneficial for your respiratory system and your blood circulation. It also helps to reduce back and neck pains and your risk of developing scoliosis, a medical condition that causes your spine to have an unnatural curve. Sleeping on the floor provides a solid surface underneath which provides better overall support for your body and helps to keep it properly aligned.
Reduces noise and motion transfer
If your bed frame or base creaks and squeaks when you sleep on it making a lot of noise that wakes you up, you can opt to place your mattress on the floor. This way you can sleep soundly and you don’t have to deal with unwanted sounds. You also significantly reduce motion transfer, changing the mattress elevation dramatically reduces how much you feel from any shifting movement on the mattress. This is particularly helpful if you have an active sleeper for a partner.
Provides cooler air
Sleeping on the floor can be very helpful if you live in a warm and not very humid climate. However, this will not work for you if you live in a cold climate. When sleeping nearer the ground, the air is cooler because heat rises naturally which means the air near the floor is much cooler. Most people are restless and wake up in the middle of the night because of increased body temperatures. Cooler air prevents you from sweating during the night which benefits your respiratory system and improves blood circulation.
Helps align your hips and shoulders
Most of the pain you experience when you sleep comes from misalignment of your hips and shoulders. Some of the most affected parts are your head, base of your neck, shoulder blade, collarbone, chest, upper and lower back, hips, etc. Sleeping on the floor provides an even surface which helps to align your hips and shoulders, improving your sleeping posture and aligning your body to reduce your joint pains.
Freedom to place your mattress anywhere you want
Sometimes it’s difficult and time-consuming to decide where and in what position you should place your bed base, foundation, or box spring in your room. However, with just a mattress, you have the freedom to place it anywhere in the room and at any angle you like. You can even sleep in different positions and directions every night.
Some disadvantages of placing your mattress on the floor
Mold and mildew
Placing your mattress on the floor restricts air and light from properly circulating causes the mattress to retain body heat and moisture. Excess heat and moisture cause mold and mildew which affects the health and lifespan of your mattress.
Exposure to dirt, dust mites, and other allergens
If you sleep so close to the floor, you expose yourself to dirt and dust mites, and insects, bugs, and spiders can easily climb into your bed. This can compromise your health and lead to an infestation of your mattress that can ruin it.
Harder to get in or out of bed
Children and teenagers have a much easier time sleeping on the floor, but if you’re older you have muscle and joint pains, stability, and balance issues that will make it harder and strenuous to access your mattress on the floor.
Final thoughts
There are lots of benefits that come with sleeping on the floor. After you’ve checked your mattress warranty and its construction materials, make sure you vacuum, disinfect, and completely dry the floor before placing the mattress down. Also, don’t forget to put a thin barrier between your mattress and floor to preserve the cleanliness and quality of your mattress and to manage the temperatures. It’s also a good idea to air your mattress to avoid mold by placing the mattress on finished surfaces like tiles or carpeting made with synthetic fiber that doesn’t hold moisture. Try sleeping on the floor and experience a change in your sleeping habits.
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