Conventional wisdom says that it is always best to sleep in a bed instead of a chair or recliner, but that just isn’t true. There are some circumstances in which it is best to sleep in a recliner. However, you should know that this is a case-by-case basis, and what is best for one person is not always the best for another person.
As it turns out, there are both positives and negatives to sleeping in a recliner every night. You should be familiar with these before you make the decision either way. We have done the research to determine the pros and cons of sleeping in a chair every night and to examine the situations in which it might be best for someone to sleep in a recliner.
With this knowledge coupled with our reviews of the top sleep chairs and our guide to everything you need to know before buying a recliner, you’ll be able to make the right decision for your unique situation and give yourself a great chance at having a restful, healthy night of sleep.
Pros of Sleeping in a Recliner Chair
Many people have found sleeping in a recliner chair to be advantageous. Here are some of the benefits of choosing to sleep in a recliner chair.
Helping Acid Reflux
Some people have experienced improved acid reflux situations. This seemingly has to do with the fact that you are not lying flat, which is what contributes to acid reflux at night. Sitting in a recliner could provide some degree of relief.
Reducing Sleep Apnea
Another positive impact of sleeping in a recliner is the potential reduction of sleep apnea. This is also thought to have to do with the angle at which you’ll be sleeping.
More Comfortable for Pregnant Women
Man pregnant women have trouble sleeping in a regular bed. For some, the solution is to sleep in the recliner for a few nights a week.
Following Surgery
After surgery, it can be tough to find rest in a regular flat bed. For people that have just gone through surgery, they may choose to spend a few nights in the recliner instead to give them some much-needed rest and recovery time.
Cons of Sleeping in a Recliner Chair
Though there are certainly some benefits to sleeping in a recliner, there are also some downsides. You should be familiar with these. Here are some of the cons of choosing to sleep in a recliner.
Potential Breathing Problems
In the long-term, sleeping in a recliner could indeed cause you to experience some breathing problems. This is dependent on your individual breathing and lung health.
Joint and Back Stiffness
Repeatedly sleeping in a recliner could result in having joint and back stiffness, due to the unnatural angle that you’ll be sleeping at for prolonged periods of time.
Poor Circulation
Sleeping in a flat, regular bed gives the body a chance to decompress from the day and recirculate blood around the body. In a recliner, this might not happen. It could end up resulting in poor circulation. This is something to be wary of if you’re choosing to sleep in a recliner.
Recap
In the end, you need to examine what is best for you, personally. Nobody can make this decision for you. You will need to try it out and see if it provides you with enough benefits to outweigh the risks. Usually, this is a case-by-case situation that is left up to the individual.
