Tend to Sleep on Your Sofa? Here's Why You Shouldn't

Lying down horizontally with your head marginally elevated is an ideal posture to nap. You can also use a cushion or pillow to support your spine while sleeping as it spreads your bodyweight uniformly. A conventional foam or coir mattress is an ideal choice to catch your sleep and it is advisable to sleep at the same place each night.

However, some of us doze off on the couch occasionally but making that a habit can hurt our health and sleep. Read on to understand why.

Downsides to Sleeping on the Sofa

If you wish to improve your sleep quality or if you experience chronic back pain, sleeping on the sofa is certainly not a good practice. Here are some major drawbacks of sleeping on the sofa:

Sofas will not keep you cool:
Mattresses are made of materials that support your back and keep you relaxed and cool. Sofas, on the other hand, are designed to offer comfort while you are seated. Couches are often made of fabrics that are durable for a long life but hard on your skin. Many sofa fabrics also do not offer breathability, causing your body to heat up when you sleep on them.

Sofas do not offer back support:
Most sofas are built for short-term comfort, and they are cozy and soft but do not offer sufficient back support. A mattress supports the whole body from head to toe while sleeping. In contrast, most sofas have several seat cushions, seams, and gaps that do not offer any back support. That lack of support can cause stiffness and discomfort when you wake up. Sleeping on a sofa can also lead to needless strain on the pressure points on your back and neck muscles.

1. Sofas are often dirtier than beds:
   While you can wash your bed sheet every week, you cannot do so with your couch, especially if cushion covers can’t be replaced. From spilt snacks to dust and grime, your couch is often much dirtier than any other piece of furniture. By sleeping on your sofa instead of your bed, you are subjecting yourself to an array of bacteria, germs and allergens that can affect your sleep hygiene and your health.
2. Sofas cannot keep your spine in alignment:
   Besides offering minimal support while sleeping, sofas also impede spinal alignment. Sofas are soft in the middle so your body sinks down, and some keep their head on the armrest, leading to misalignment of the head that could trigger a stiff neck. Sleep posture is important, particularly if you wish to avoid back and neck pain. Frequently sleeping in an improper sleeping position over a long time can lead to discomfort, aching, and cramping in the back, neck, and buttocks.
   

Falling asleep on the sofa once in a while won’t harm your health. However, sleeping on your sofa frequently can put you at a greater risk for health conditions such as chronic neck pain and backache.