You may have heard a rumor that sleeping on the floor can cause weight loss. There are a few reasons this rumor came to be spread and in this article, we will review ways that you can use sleep to aid your weight loss journey.
Does Sleeping on the Floor Reduce Weight?
The only way to promote weight loss is to burn more calories than you consume through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Sleeping on the floor is not beneficial to weight loss because it doesn’t help break down fats or burn a significant number of calories.
The rumor that sleeping on the floor reduces weight may have started because the floor tends to be cool and sleeping in cooler temperatures can cause your body to burn more calories to maintain your body temperature during the night.
Ultimately, correlation does not equal causation, and having a cooling pillow or a breathable blanket may also allow similar effects without having to risk a restless night’s sleep and joint pain from laying on a hard floor.
Even though sleeping on the floor doesn’t directly reduce weight, there are some ways that you can promote weight loss through sleep. Keep reading to gain alternative advice for sleeping while trying to lose weight.
Dangers of Sleeping on the Floor
Some people believe that sleeping on the floor can assist with posture, but there is little research to show that sleeping on the floor is better than opting for a firmer mattress. If you want to see our opinions on a variety of firm mattresses, click here.
Here is a list of dangers associated with floor sleeping:
- Joint pain
- Poor support
- Restless sleep
- Pins and needles
Having support while sleeping is extremely important, especially as you get older. Sleeping on a hard floor is not beneficial to joint health and it can be painful for people with arthritis or other bone-related health concerns.
Sleeping on the floor offers poor support for the curves of your body. It may be okay for people who prefer to sleep on their backs or stomachs, but side sleepers will especially struggle to find proper support while sleeping on the floor. You may even experience pins and needles in your limbs from the steady pressure placed on your nerves.
If you aren’t used to sleeping on the floor, or on a very firm mattress, getting used to sleeping on the floor can be grueling. You may experience difficulty getting to sleep as well as difficulty staying asleep. It is important to go through all of the stages of your sleep cycle to obtain REM sleep. Waking up multiple times throughout the night will prevent you from having the restorative sleep that you need to feel well-rested.
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How Can You Use Sleep to Reduce Weight?
Sleeping on the floor may not help you in reducing your weight but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use sleep to prevent weight gain or encourage weight loss. When your body doesn’t have enough sleep, it may tell you that you are hungry more often so that you will eat to gain energy. When your body is being pushed to stay awake, you are more likely to get hunger cravings that can be detrimental to your weight loss journey.
There is no disputing that everything feels more difficult when you’re tired. It can be back-breaking work to encourage yourself to exercise and cook healthy meals when you are sleep-deprived. When you’re exhausted, it’s easy to slide into the habit of grabbing fast food or skipping the gym for a few hours of television. Your body needs seven to eight hours of sleep so that you feel strong and productive for the day ahead.
Final Thoughts
Sleep has a multitude of health benefits that should always be taken advantage of, however, sleeping on the floor will not contribute to weight loss. The best way to encourage weight loss or prevent weight gain through sleep is to get an adequate amount of sleep every night. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise is the most effective way to aid your weight loss journey.
