Sleeping on the ground is not a new concept; people have been doing so since ancient times. Today, of course, most people sleep only on beds. However, there are incredible benefits of sleeping on the floor; given the same, we must make an effort to reestablish our connection with the ground.
Subjecting the body to different beds is very harmful for health. Sleeping on a bed, no matter how spacious, restricts body movement as opposed to sleeping on the floor, where we can spread out as much as possible. Sleeping on the floor vs. bed can be quite a challenging, but fair comparison in today’s times, now that surprising health benefits have been discovered. The extra positive charge that builds up in the body must be drained into the ground, and sleeping on the floor does facilitate grounding.
General Benefits of Sleeping on the Floor
The Natural Feeling
Our ancestors have been sleeping on the floor since evolution, and there’s no reason why we cannot do the same. Sleeping on the floor feels natural, purifying, and for some, there are spiritual benefits too. There’s a connection with the Earth that we miss when we sleep on a bed. Sleeping and waking up on the floor clears the mind, makes us feel fresh, and prevents any chronic health issues.
The Impact of Culture
Many cultures promote sleeping on the floor, for a good reason. It is said to improve spine alignment, promote blood circulation, and help us lead a healthy life. In fact, the Japanese still follow this custom – they sleep on the floor on a simple futon.
The Incredible Freedom
A bed constricts movement, since the body conforms to the shape of the mattress and pillow it is subjected to. But on the floor, there is unrestricted access and freedom – you can sleep the way you like, without limitations, and there is hardly any tossing and turning due to discomfort. The body takes up a natural posture, and according to experts, this helps develop a stronger connection between the body and mind.
Improved Productivity
One of the lesser-known advantages, while sleeping on the floor, the body is in its comfort zone, and the internal clock functions perfectly. This apparently helps us wake up early, which in turn helps us remain fresh throughout the day, thus improving productivity, both at home and at work.
Staying Grounded
Grounding is not a novel concept; it helps drain our bodies off the excess positive charge that builds up due to the electric and magnetic fields around us. Grounding is one of the health benefits of sleeping on a hard surface. It establishes a connection with the Earth, and is said to improve health with balanced energies and renewed vitals.
Health Benefits of Sleeping on the Floor
Reduced Lower Back Pain
None to reduced back pain is one benefit of sleeping on the floor. When we lie down on the back without a pillow, the spine straightens and aids proper blood circulation throughout the body. This helps the back retain its neutral position while sitting or doing some other work. It helps reduce lower back pain and any other related spine issues. Many people have reported a renewed sense of well-being after sleeping on the floor.
Reduced Hip Pain
Sleeping on the ground helps align the hips, which would’ve otherwise been in poor shape after sleeping on a bed. This helps avoid hip-related issues and reduce related pain.
Reduced Shoulder Pain
Sleeping on a wooden floor helps keep the shoulders in shape. It corrects shoulder misalignment and neck strains, thus reducing shoulder pain and any related issues like chronic headache, etc., Misaligned shoulders can put strain on the neck and back, causing chronic pain, and even headaches.
Reduced Stiffness
Sprawling on the floor improves flexibility, consequently reducing stiffness. The muscles become tight and imbalanced when you sleep on a bed. Sleeping on a wooden floor helps stretch the muscles, tighten them, improve circulation, and treat misalignments of the body. It helps prevent neck and back pain and other chronic disorders, reduces discomfort, and improves overall health.
The Effects of Posture
Sleeping on the back, on the ground, without a pillow is the best posture for good health. It improves body alignment, and the body undergoes the natural process of healing. It helps send signals to the brain and reduces stress.
We can reduce so many of our daily health problems by merely changing the way we sleep. Experts recommend trying this for at least a while. After all, nothing is going to harm us if we do so, unless of course, we are undergoing some therapy or have some health issues. Like every other argument, there are pros and cons of sleeping on a hard surface, especially for people who already have spine and shoulder pain. If you want to try sleeping on the ground, talk to your physician and get a green signal from him, and then only go ahead. Learn how to be peaceful and healthy by just making a small change in your life.
