I tried the suggestion of lying down on the floor for 10 minutes. I noticed a positive difference in my lower back and shoulders. I'm going to keep doing it for a week to see if I still feel it working. I cannot see me ever sleeping on the floor, but have entertained the idea of a plywood base for our bed and just a mattress. There is another person involved who might object...must work on that.
I have often thought how wasteful beds are, there are often made of very toxic and non-bio-degradable materials (except if they are pure latex and organic cotton or something), they have to generate a massive amount of large and rather tosci waste especially if you are buying new mattresses every 10 years (ridiculous nonsense advice designed to get you to buy mattresses imo). But I have a working bed now, so if it ain't broke ...
Trees don't grow on money
A few minutes on a carpeted floor is very relaxing. I tried it at work in the copy room while making many copies, hoping that no one will see me. Sure enough, the Executive Director walked in and asked if I was OK. She though I passed out. I explained that my back just needed a a quick rest.
It's interesting how your body just sinks into the floor; breathing deeply is easy when relaxed that way.
ToomuchStuff, I supposed I'm being exposed to all sorts of currents during the day. My digital alarm clock is very near me at night. Today I saw electric mattress pads starting at $30 and was tempted to buy one. Last night I used more blankets over me, which kept my front half warm. It's my back or sides that feels the cold, even with all my layers underneath me. I just lay and turn in the spot that my body has warmed up a bit since the rest of my bed is cold.
Funny I should come across this thread today, since I've been experimenting with floor sleeping for the past two nights. I've done it before, but only for a night at a time using a thermarest backpacking air mattress, which is pretty thin.
For the past two nights I've just slept on a carpeted floor with a quilt folded over double. I slept okay, neither great nor badly. (I don't sleep well normally as a rule, which is one reason I'm experimenting.) The first night I woke up a number of times but went back to sleep quickly. I was a bit stiff upon rising, but not much more so than I would have been had a slept in my bed, and the stiffness went away quickly.
Most of the sources I've looked at say it takes a week or so to get used to sleeping on the floor. I may go to a futon if I decide I want a bit more padding. I slept on a futon for a couple of years in grad school and found it quite comfortable. I like the idea of not having to deal with a bed. Being able to roll up your bedding and tuck it into a closet is very appealing to me.
I'm not sure about the health implications. Supposedly sleeping on a hard surface is good for your back, but only if you sleep on your back, and I'm a sort of side/stomach sleeper. I might try to train myself to sleep on my back, which I'm told is doable, although that's not supposed to be good for snorers, and I snore.
I'll keep fiddling around with it, and report anything interesting I find.
oldhat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMNgSDEwp24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSJyzEit9Sg She shows ways to be comfortable sleeping on your side and stomach.
I'm so jealous of people with carpeting over wood floors!! My mats are comfortable for 7 hours of sleeping, but any longer and it's not as good. If I were sick and bedridden, I'd be back on the bed or the couch.
Ponymom, what have you discovered in all your research about mouth breathing when sleeping on the floor and the spine is straight? Does it change the neck position as well?
As Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”
I haven't found anything about mouth breathing when searching floor sleeping. Maybe that would come under a search for breathing while meditating or yoga?Originally Posted by razz
Update!
Since the floor has been really cold, I've removed my memory foam mattress and replaced it with my padding, on the bed resting on my old boxspring. It's an older one, (possibly has springs in it), and very firm. It's been much warmer and just as comfortable.
After three months, if I'm going to continue doing this, I may splurge on one of these: http://futonbedsfromjapan.com A bit more than I wanted to spend, but the size will fit perfectly on my bed, should i decide to stay there. Or move to the floor later. My pile of pads and blankets looks messy, and I'm already in the habit of folding it during the day and making it up again at night.
I love the fact that the shikifuton can be aired in the sun, lightly beaten (sounds like a recipe) to remove dust, mites, etc. So much healthier than a regular mattress. And they're gorgeous! I've looked into a few others on Amazon, but they're too heavy, or too thin and longer than my bed.
Traditional kakebuton (comforter) seem really nice and are filled with silk, making them lightweight but warm/cool depending on the temperature. Those are really expensive; my old quilt will do just fine.
I like the fact of minimalist living - I know those who sleep without a pillow, some who sleep on the floor, etc. I have to admit the whole spider thing kinda freaks me out, why I don't know. They certainly can crawl up the wall and if the want to crawl in my ears, lay eggs so they will hatch and eat my brains out - it won't matter if I am on the floor or in a bed.
Most nights I migrate to the living room couch to escape my wife's snoring and the overheated bedroom. Hmmm maybe I will try it tonight!
I give you credit, I don't think I could stand it. I bought a mattress 12 yrs ago with a warranty, it sagged so much they actually gave me a new mattress. But it wasn't a great one and it too started to sag (I'm chubby but not THAT chubby). I put a 4in memory foam with a cooling gel topper on top. Been like a brand new mattress and the cooling gel topper really helps with menopausal night sweats, lol.
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