Updated at: 28-02-2023 - By: Sienna Lewis

To me, sleeping in bed is the only way to recharge. First of all, I wasn’t sure how well it would work for me when I received my first recliner.

When I did some study and tried out various positions with my backrest at its lowest setting, not only was I able to sleep comfortably but also better than ever before! If you’re looking to obtain a good night’s sleep in your chair, here are 11 ideas from various sources.

Things to Keep in Mind while Sleeping on a Recliner

The importance of having a good posture cannot be overstated. Use the armrests of your chair to make yourself feel like you’re in bed. When it’s time to get some shut-eye, this will be a big assist.

To avoid neck pain or strain, avoid sleeping too close to the chair’s back.

Spinal alignment can be aided by rocking back and forth in a reclining chair that has a rocking mechanism. Try swaying back and forth to help you sleep.

Additionally, you can place a pillow behind your head if you find the recliner too hard when you’re attempting to rest your head.

Try not to move about too much while you’re in bed, as this could create pain in your joints in the morning.

Does Sleeping in a Recliner Chair Have Any Benefits or Side Effects?

What is a Recliner?

Typically covered in leather or cloth, a reclining chair reclines back to a comfortable position. For better posture, the back and footrests can be adjusted on the seats

In this article, we’ll show you that sleeping in your recliner isn’t just doable; it’s actually rather pleasant. It’s possible that you’ll get more shut-eye in your recliner than you did in your mattress.

Getting your neck pillow height just perfect can make a world of difference, so give it a shot and see what works best for you!

If you suffer from back pain as a result of sleeping in a recliner, place pillows beneath your knees. Your lower back will benefit from the added support and pressure that this will alleviate.

If you sleep with your hands on the armrests, consider sleeping with them in your lap to avoid wrist ache!

Use an eye mask to block off light as you sleep in your recliner, drink warm milk before you go to bed, keep dogs away from the chair, and avoid eating big meals late at night.

Benefits of Sleeping on a Recliner

Compared to the ordinary bed, this one is more comfy.

Vacuuming and dusting can be easier when there is only one piece of furniture in your room.

Even if you’re sensitive to light and noise, it’s possible that noises coming from the opposite direction of your recliner won’t wake you up.

To avoid stains and fabric damage, cover the chair with a fitted sheet only.

Some people find it more comfortable to sleep with their heads lifted while seated in a chair rather than flat on a bed.

Even if lying on one’s back could be more convenient when you’re not pregnant, a recliner can provide more support for your expanding tummy.

Getting in and out of bed is easier from a standing position than it is from lying down.

Using a chair when recovering from surgery or an injury can help alleviate pain produced by aching joints because of the chair’s reduced mobility.

The chair’s arms might serve as a sound barrier between the recliner and your bedroom door if noise is an issue for you.

There are no pressure points on the spine when lying in a bed, which is why many people with back problems prefer to sleep in a chair.

For those suffering from wounds, accidents, or surgery who require a softer surface or lower air pressure, a recliner can be an excellent alternative to an adjustable hospital bed.

Try resting on your stomach or side if you have problems sleeping on your back and have trouble falling asleep at night with blankets all over you.

How to Care for Recliner

In order to get the most usage out of your chair, you’ll need to take proper care of it. Here are a few pointers to get you started:

  • Clean and dry thoroughly with soapy water if necessary.
  • Regularly vacuum or shake off dirt and debris (twice a year)
  • a lot of dirt
  • A waterproof cover is a good idea.
  • Always use coasters to protect surfaces when handling liquids and plates.
  • If you frequently use your recliner for additional seating or to watch television, it’s imperative that you inspect the upholstery’s seams. You should have your upholstery repaired if you detect fraying around the seat’s edges due to the sun’s damaging effects.

When It Might Be Better for Your Health to Sleep in a Recliner

It’s not uncommon for people to only sleep in a reclining posture when they doze off in front of the TV or are squished into an aircraft seat. Sleeping on a bed or mat, or even the floor, has been common for thousands of years.

Lying down to sleep makes the most sense for our anatomy. Some four-legged animals like zebras and elephants sleep standing up, but because we only have two legs it would be more difficult for us to balance while unconscious.

Lying down to sleep makes the most sense for our anatomy. Some four-legged animals like zebras and elephants sleep standing up, but because we only have two legs it would be more difficult for us to balance while unconscious.

Our anatomy dictates that we should sleep on our backs. While zebras and elephants are able to lie on their backs, humans are unable to do so since we only have two legs.

When it comes to your health, sleeping in a reclined position may be more beneficial than resting on your back. However, you may want to steer clear of it in some circumstances.

Sleeping in a reclining chair may have advantages.

Does it help symptoms of acid reflux?

In order to keep food from going into your stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter works as a sort of gate between your esophagus and stomach.

When you’re digesting meals, this valve is usually closed. It’s possible that this muscle doesn’t seal entirely if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Heartburn is the name given to the burning feeling that results from an acidic buildup.

At night, many people suffer from heartburn because gravity stops pulling stomach contents away from the esophagus when you are laying down. Heartburn may be alleviated by sleeping in a reclining position, which keeps your body in an upright position.

The symptoms of persons with nocturnal acid reflex were examined in two separate studiesTrusted Source in 2012, and the results were striking.

Normal sleeping positions were used on the first day of the experiment, which was conducted in a laboratory. The next six nights, they slept with their heads elevated by a 20-centimeter-high block.

60% of those who completed the trial saw a reduction in the amount of sleep disturbances they had after raising their heads.

Does it reduce symptoms of sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most frequent form of sleep apnea. The muscles in your throat relax and obstruct your airways during this condition. Snoring, sudden awakenings during the night, and daytime drowsiness are all symptoms of sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects around 60% of those with GERD. Acid reflux may be made more likely by the increased pressure in your chest cavity caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Sleep apnea may be alleviated by raising your head as you sleep.

People who have obstructive sleep apnea may benefit from a small degree of head elevation, according to a 2017 study. Elevation of 7 to 8 degrees relieved symptoms without impairing sleep quality, according to the study’s findings

Sleeping at 30 degrees and 60 degrees alleviated symptoms of sleep apnea in two previous trials published in 1986Trusted Source and 1997Trusted Source. These positions are more akin to those of a reclining chair than anything else.

Does it help if you’re pregnant?

When you’re expecting a child, it’s even more critical that you get enough shut-eye. Pregnant women, on the other hand, are more susceptible to having sleep-disrupting issues, such as:

  • GERD
  • obstructive snoring
  • back aches

Sleeping on your back during the second or third trimester of pregnancy is not suggested because the weight of the fetus can put pressure on an artery in your lower body known as the inferior vena cava.

Pregnant women may experience elevated blood pressure and poor fetal circulation as a result of this compression.

Pregnant women are advised to sleep on their backs.

Sleeping on your left side relieves strain on your liver, making it an optimal position for many people. To avoid the discomfort of sleeping on your side, consider sleeping in a recliner.

Does it relieve back pain?

Back pain patients may find it easier to get in and out of a recliner chair instead of their bed.

Pillow support for the lower back may be useful if sleeping in the reclined position of a reclining chair.

Sleeping in a recliner after back surgery

If you have trouble getting into bed after surgery, consider sleeping on a reclining recliner.

Back pain can be reduced by sitting in a reclined position instead of in a straight chair. You should, however, make sure the chair provides appropriate back support so that you don’t sit with a curved spine and put more stress on your back.

When should you avoid sleeping in a recliner and what are the risks?

6 Ways to Sleep While Using Your Recliner - Krostrade

Breathing problems

It’s possible that sleeping with your upper back stooped over will prevent you from breathing properly.

In addition to causing blood congestion in your lungs, being in a reclined position can also restrict the quantity of oxygen you can take in through your lungs.

Patients with lung issues should seek medical advice before sleeping in a recliner every night.

Joint stiffness

Your legs and hips remain bent as you sleep in a recliner. Tight hips, calves, and hamstrings might develop as a result of this, which can also impair your posture.

Muscle spasms can also raise your chance of tripping and falling.

Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis risk may be increased if you sleep with your joints flexed and immobile for long periods of time (DVT).

One of your deep veins may become blocked, leading to a dangerous blood clot that could be life-threatening. It’s most common in your legs, but it can also appear elsewhere in your body.

The risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may be reduced if you wear compression socks.

Impaired circulation

Sitting with your knees bent for an extended amount of time can harm your lower-blood body’s vessel function.

The popliteal artery, which runs behind your knee, is particularly vulnerable to blockage. While reclining on a chair, it may be better to keep your knees bent than to maintain your legs straight.

Tips for slumbering soundly in a reclining chair

Improve your sleep by following these suggestions:

  • To avoid sweating through your leather chair, you may wish to cover it with a sheet.
  • Have enough blankets to keep you warm all night long.
  • Use a pillow if the headrest is too firm.
  • You may want to put a pillow behind your neck and lower back for additional support.

You may want to put a pillow behind your neck and lower back for additional support.

Why Some People Sleep in A Recliner?

Pillows behind your neck and lower back might provide additional support.

People recovering from major surgery who find that sitting flat on their bed is either too painful or prevents them from breathing, leading them to turn to their beloved recliner as a temporary sleeping platform, are examples of this phenomenon.

The number of nights spent sleeping half up in your recliner increases as a person with sleep apnea becomes increasingly unable to sleep resting flat on his or her back in bed.

A person who has difficulty getting in and out of a chair or bed may find it more convenient to sleep in a recliner that is suitable for their needs.

This is the article for you if you like to sleep in your chair rather than your bed for any number of reasons. Even if you’ve never slept well in a chair before, we’ll explain how to get a good night’s rest and answer a range of other health-related inquiries.

How to Sleep in a Recliner

You don’t have to scroll all the way back to the top of the page to get our summary of the steps! Additional thoughts and observations will also be included.

A top sheet should be placed on a chair with leather upholstery so that your skin does not touch the leather, or you will be constantly sweating the entire night.

If you’re going to do this, make sure to tuck the sheet as much as possible into the mattress and that it doesn’t hang over the footrest too much. It’s possible the sheet could get tangled up in a recliner’s mechanism if it does.

No matter what material the recliner is upholstered in, you may wish to use a top sheet to sleep on. Even if you don’t use a top sheet, fabric-clad recliners tend to be significantly cooler and more breathable than their leather-upholstered counterparts.

If the chair’s headrest isn’t enough padding for you, grab a blanket or a pillow. These should be within easy reach of the chair’s backrest.

Convenience and forethought are key components here. You don’t want to break your night’s rest by having to get up for “things” that you forgot once you’ve settled in for the night.

Only turn on one lamp from the recliner before you get in.

The gist is the same. You don’t want to disturb your nest once you’ve become comfortable in it, therefore this is for you.

A few extra cushions for your neck and behind your knees are a good idea for those who sleep in manual recliners. Manual recliners typically have only three positions of reclining. You’ll have to use strategically positioned cushions if you require any additional adjustments to feel comfy.

There are two problems with sleeping in a motorized recliner instead than a manual one. Because power recliners are generally more expensive than their manual counterparts, it may be necessary to get creative with your additional pillows if your budget does not allow for one.

You’ll have to scramble over the side of the chair if the power goes out with most power recliners on the market today. Alternatively, you might get a lift chair, which has a battery backup system built in. However, there is a price to pay. The price of lift chairs tends to be a little more.

If you’re going to sleep in a power recliner, take a seat and fiddle around with the settings until you find the perfect position.

Lift chairs often have an endless number of positions, which is why they are the best choice for sleeping..

Grab your pillows and blankets (described above), turn off the lights, and get cozy!!”

This is how to get a good night’s rest on a recliner!

Sleeping in a Recliner If You Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be alleviated by using a recliner. To begin, let’s define what sleep apnea is and how it differs from other sleep disorders.

Defining Sleep Apnea

When your breathing repeatedly stops and resumes during the course of the night, it’s considered to be sleep apnoea.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be divided into three distinct categories. These are the ones I’m talking about:

  • An obstructive apnea is the most prevalent type and occurs when your throat muscles relax while you’re in bed.
  • When your brain stops providing adequate signals to the muscles that control your breathing, you develop central sleep apnea, a relatively uncommon disorder.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are both forms of this sleep disorder.

There are times during the night when your breathing may be interrupted, but you may not fully regain consciousness until the next day.

As a result, you’ll wake up the next day feeling exhausted, but unable to explain why. You should have a sleep study done, although there are a number of signs that indicate sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  • Irritability
  • a reduction in your ability to focus
  • drowsiness during the day (hypersomnia)
  • Difficulty sleeping in the evening (insomnia)
  • First thing in the morning, I have a headache.
  • waking up with a dry tongue
  • Gasping for air as you get out of bed.
  • If you share a bed with someone, and they claim that you stop breathing at regular periods during the night, you should seek medical attention.
  • Snoring loudly during the night can be a sign if you’re sleeping with someone who is prone to snoring.

The more of the above symptoms you have, the more likely you are to have sleep apnea as a result.

There are several things that can raise your risk of developing sleep apnea, so in addition to looking at symptoms, it’s also necessary to discuss risk factors.

Risk Factors

  • If you’re obese, you should consider losing weight.
  • (Men are almost three times more likely than women to acquire sleep apnea, but it doesn’t mean women are immune from it.)
  • If you drink excessively or take tranquilizers or sedatives, you could be at risk for mental health issues.
  • Smokers are three times more likely than non-smokers to develop sleep apnea.

So, can a chair help those with sleep apnea get a good night’s rest?

Probably is the best answer. Obstructive sleep apnea and complicated sleep apnea can both benefit from it, as your airway narrows when your muscles rest, and this constriction contributes to at least part of the problem.

Gravity works in your favor if you sleep in a recliner rather than a flat bed. Relaxation of the muscles causes the airway to remain open enough so you don’t choke or gasp as you sleep.

Unfortunately, if you have central sleep apnea, the signals your brain sends to your muscles are disrupted, then the answer is no. If that’s the case, then switching up your sleeping arrangements won’t help.

The Anatomy of a Good Sleeper Recliner

Some recliners are better than others, just as we said earlier on. For those who prefer to lounge rather than sleep, there are many types of lounge chairs. If you’re looking for a chair to sleep in, here are the things that matter most:

Upholstery

This is a topic we’ve discussed previously. Having leather sheets on your bed is a bad idea. Using leather as a mattress is a terrible idea. If you’re lucky enough to sleep through the night in it, you’ll be drenched in perspiration the next morning.

While there is no other choice but to use a top sheet over a leather recliner in order to provide a layer of fabric against your skin, if you haven’t bought one yet, skip the extra step and go straight for a fabric-clad one. It will be more breathable, resulting in a more restful night’s sleep for you.

An Advanced Comfort System

A recliner with block foam and poly fiberfill, along with comfort coils or some other sort of spring-supported system that closely resembles the feeling of resting on a mattress, should be your minimal need for comfort.

Memory foam and gel-infused comfort coils are some of the more advanced options available from some manufacturers. Try out as many models as you can at a nearby furniture store to get a sense of what kind of comfort system you prefer. Personal preferences and tastes will differ.

The More Recline Positions, the Better

The unlimited number of possible recline degrees offered by power recliners allows you to discover your perfect sleeping position better than manual recliners.

To get around the lack of reclining options, you’ll have to make creative use of pillows in order to get the angle that works best for you. It’s possible, but it’s not ideal.

Advanced Features & “Extras”

Depending on the firm, you may or may not be able to take advantage of these additional features. Recliners featuring lumbar or whole-back ergonomic support, electric recliners with battery backup systems, and the like are all covered here. This is the first time we’ve seen a recliner with an independently adjustable headrest.

Zero-G and Trendelenburg seating postures are just two examples of advanced features. Until now, no chair has offered both of these benefits.

A lot of the time, it’s one or the other. Having both in the same model, however, would, in our opinion, be over-engineering the chair in question because they provide equivalent benefits.

You’ll notice that the ability to rest totally flat is missing from our list. While some people may be open to the idea, others are not. You may not want to rest flat if you suffer from sleep apnea or just underwent surgery, so this is a matter of personal preference. It’s just not a requirement in every situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it healthy to sleep in a recliner?

Even while the short answer is “it can be,” this isn’t quite enough information, so I’ll provide a more thorough explanation.

Studies show that Americans spend too much time sitting in chairs, which is bad for their health and causes aches and pains in their joints, weakened heartbeats, and other health concerns. That isn’t the recliner’s fault, though. When it comes to those conditions, recliners don’t do anything magical; they’re just a part of the equation.

A few types of chairs are better for your back than others; however, not all of them are made equal. Recliner chairs with ergonomic characteristics, such as lumbar support, are better for you than ones without those qualities.

The health benefits of advanced seating positions like Zero-G and Trendelenburg are well-documented as well.

If you recently underwent surgery, it has been found that if you spend your recovery in a highly adjustable recliner, you will recover more quickly. It has also been found that sleeping in a recliner is beneficial for a range of ailments, including but not limited to: aches and pains.

  • Geriatric rheumatology (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Heartburn
  • The Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • As well as snoozing

If you’ve just undergone surgery or are afflicted by any of the following, you’ll almost certainly notice an improvement in your health by sleeping in a chair.

Is it safe to sleep in a recliner while pregnant?

It is perfectly acceptable to sleep in a recliner while pregnant, and a significant minority of women give up on the idea of sleeping in their bed at night, preferring the convenience of sleeping in their recliner, often with a pillow between their legs or a body-length pillow for additional comfort.

Buy Fama Moonrise Recliner Armchair Online | Julia Jones

Is sleeping in a recliner bad for you and your back?

Whether or whether a chair is beneficial or bad for lower back pain depends on how much time you spend sitting, and recent studies have shown that too much sitting is hazardous for your health and can worsen any back discomfort.

As a result, investing in high-quality furniture with built-in ergonomic features is definitely worth the extra time and money. There aren’t many recliners on the market today that include ergonomic characteristics, but there are some, and even better, they’re offered by well-known American furniture firms.

Final Thoughts – How to Sleep In A Recliner

In other words, can you sleep on a recliner? In the end, the answer is yes, but the question is largely self-selective.

Most people would prefer to sleep in their own bed if given the option. That, however, is not always possible, if not impossible, under certain circumstances. If that’s the case, a good sleeper recliner is a great option.