It may be a little odd to think that people put a mattress on the floor to sleep at night but there are some great benefits. However, you’ll also want to be aware of the potential downsides that come with putting your mattress on the floor.
Sleeping on the wrong kind of mattress can have just as big of a negative impact on your health as sleeping on the floor. So, it’s not so much of a crazy idea. In fact, putting a mattress on the floor to sleep on is more common in places such as Asia.
This post covers the advantages and disadvantages of sleeping on just a mattress on the floor so that you can decide whether it’s something that you want to try or avoid.
Advantages
Improved Circulation & Reduced Back Pain
One of the main perks of sleeping on the floor with a mattress is that your blood circulation is improved. In addition to this, sleeping on a mattress on the floor can be great for your back. This is because pillows in regular beds are one of the factors that cause neck and back pain.
When you’re sleeping on a mattress on the floor, you’re on a surface that’s flatter which means you have a reduced chance of causing back or neck problems. So, if you suffer from back pain and poor circulation, you may want to try sleeping on the floor using a mattress and see if you wake up feeling more refreshed and in less pain.
If using a mattress to sleep on the floor still isn’t helping, our article on ways to alleviate neck pain could be more useful.
Sleeping On A Mattress On The Floor Is Simply A Change
People who have a hard time sleeping in their beds who have tried different tips with no success may want to try sleeping on the floor with a mattress. Completely changing up where you sleep can get rid of the familiarity and clear your mind to sleep easier.
Furthermore, if you’ve been struggling to sleep in a bed, you may have started to associate that space with being unable to sleep properly. As a result, switching up where you sleep and going to the floor on a mattress could give you a break from your bed so that you can come back to it with a fresher perspective.
Cooler Temperatures
Being in a cooler environment is one of the best ways to improve the quality of your sleep. Sleeping on the floor with a mattress leaves you more exposed to cooler air compared to sleeping on a standard bed.
If you often struggle to sleep, one of the reasons could be because you’re in a room that’s too warm. Being in a cooler space helps to prevent sweating and being uncomfortable so that you can avoid tossing and turning for hours.
Downsides
Mold
Mold is one of the biggest issues that can make it dangerous for you to sleep on a mattress on the floor. This is because the mattress on the ground can absorb the sweat and heat from your body which isn’t giving anywhere to escape to. As a result, the liquid and heat form together and develop into mold over time.
Being exposed to mold can cause allergic reactions and health issues. Therefore, if you’ve been sleeping on the floor with a mattress and you notice an odor from your mattress, it would be a good idea to throw it out and get a new one to avoid allergic reactions to mold.
Dust
Dust is another factor that can cause health issues when using a mattress to sleep on the floor. The floor is more prone to gathering dust and keeping the floor where you’re sleeping clean is imperative.
If dust accumulates too much, it can cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues. Breathing in too much dust regularly while you’re sleeping can also cause you to feel uncomfortable while sleeping.
It may be a good idea to raise your mattress slightly off the ground and to clean the area regularly to sleep in a comfortable environment that’s free from dust.
Cold Temperatures
We mentioned that the cooler temperatures from being on a mattress on the floor can help you sleep better, however, if the temperatures are too cold, you could end up becoming ill. This is especially the case if the weather outside is at freezing temperatures.
Breathing in air that’s too cold while you’re sleeping can cause lung problems and even lead to hypothermia in extreme cases. So, we recommend that you avoid sleeping on the floor with a mattress if the outdoor temperatures are below freezing.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are more likely to build up inside your mattress when it’s on the floor. You’d be surprised at how quickly they can multiply which can cause allergic reactions in the form of what looks like red bites.
Furthermore, bed bugs can leave waste on you and the mattress which makes it an unclean place to sleep in. One of the ways that you could remedy the issue is by putting a cover over the mattress. This puts a barrier between you and the bed bugs so that they can’t reach you.
Can Be Uncomfortable For Some
If you prefer to sleep on your side, putting a mattress on the floor to try and sleep will be difficult for you. This is because the mattress is only supported by the hard ground which can make it feel harder.
Therefore, sleeping on your side can be uncomfortable and lead to shoulder, back, and neck pain as the mattress has no bed frame. Sleeping on a mattress on the floor may only be best for people who can sleep comfortably on their front or back.
Considering The Type Of Mattress To Use On The Floor
Using the right type of mattress to sleep on a hard surface can make a big difference in the type of experience that you’ll have. When you decide to put your mattress on the floor, we recommend that you don’t use memory foam mattresses.
These mattresses need to have some type of base that’s more stable to keep you comfortable. Mattresses with springs that are thicker and not as soft as memory foam work better to keep you supported without being affected too much with the pressure of the hard floor.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about the advantages and disadvantages of using a mattress to sleep on the floor, you can make a more informed choice as to whether it’s the right thing for you to do.
Many people who have sleeping problems find that moving to the floor with a mattress gives their body a change that makes it easier for them to fall asleep. The temperatures are cooler and sleeping on a mattress on the floor can be good for back pain.
On the other hand, you’re more exposed to mold and dust and the cold temperatures can become dangerously low on the ground.
Hopefully, you can use our post to weigh up the pros and cons of using a mattress to sleep on the floor and whether it’s something that you think could improve the quality of your sleep.
