Can Recliners Help with Sleep? Discover the Benefits of Sleeping in a Recliner
Picture swooping back to your homely abode and surrendering all your woes and worries into arms of your recliner chair. That does sound like an absolute delight, doesn’t it? Well, science agrees. Recent studies have observantly backed our suspects that reclining chairs have a surprisingly relaxing effect on your sleep. They significantly help improve spinal align and reduce pressure off the backs lulling into a sombre sleep. Let’s dive deep into how leather recliner chairs help with sleep.
How does Science correlate Recliners and Good Sleep?
From helping with sleep apnea to enhancing better blood flow thus improving circulation, there are some of the best recliner chairs for sleeping available for everyone.
1. Improved Spinal Alignment and Reduced Pressure
When sleeping in a recliner, particularly one with adjustable options such as lumbar support and reclining positions, you can take pressure off your spine. Conventional flat sleeping methods, particularly on a soft bed, can lead to spinal misalignment. This tends to exacerbate back pain, especially among people who already experience conditions such as sciatica or herniated discs. In The Spine Journal, a study in 2019 discovered that reclining at an angle of 135° is ideal for the alleviation of spinal pressure and pain relief. This allows the alleviation of compression in the spine, which can lead to more comfortable and painless sleep.
2. Helps with Sleep Apnea and Snoring
As stated by American Sleep Apnea Association, the elevated structure of recliners incredibly helps with reducing the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is facilitated by preventing the collapse of the airway proving to be especially effective for those who have trouble dealing with CPAP machines or any other sleep aids that are traditionally known to help with sleep apnea. The rocking motion of the reclining chairs is known to assist in providing effective sleeping as confirmed with one of the NIH studies of 2021.
3. Improvement in Circulation
When you sleep in a recliner chair with your legs elevated, it can do wonders in improving your blood circulation, especially in the lower extremities. It is because this particular position entails better venous return which allows the blood to flow in the heart more efficiently. This helps reduce swelling in the legs and ankles and can benefit those with varicose veins or leg edema. This fact has also been backed by the 2012 study in Journal of Vascular Surgery claiming that lifting your legs 15-20 prior to sleeping can contribute to better circulation and encourage better sleep.
What are the Defined Benefits of Recliner Chair for Sleep?
From electric recliner chairs to power recliner chair, there are a plethora of options that are available at your convenience to let you sleep like a baby. Recliner chairs have been known to ease insomnia, assist in post-op recovery and so much more.
1. Helps in Insomnia
Some studies claim that reclining chairs can emanate a relaxing and comforting ambiance which effectively allows people to recharge the draining of their entire day. And more importantly, they encourage this far more easily than lying in your regular bed. The ergonomic recliner chair presents a relaxation effect which can elevate your sleep quality while also easing off anxiety levels. These recliner chairs are best for people struggling with insomnia.
2. Aids in Post-Surgery Recovery
Recliners are generally prescribed for patients who have undergone back, neck, or leg surgery. The reclining position is supportive and maintains the body in a neutral position, which helps reduce pain. Patients who have undergone surgery tend to recover better through recliner sleeping without exacerbating their injuries.
3. Acid Reflux Relief and GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux are two of the most prevalent disorders that interfere with sleep. Sleeping in a flat position can exacerbate these diseases since stomach acid can move back into the esophagus during sleep, producing pain. By tilting the upper body, recliner chairs minimize the occurrence of acid reflux attacks during sleep.
Which Recliners Help in Improving Sleep?
The best recliner chairs for sleeping are the ones that suit your needs the best. However, there are certain recliners that substantially assist in promoting better sleep.
1. Foam Cushions
There are certain leather recliner chairs that come with memory foam and they can help in offering individualised comfort. They perfectly sit with the course of your body and relieve the pain points that might be posing problems in sleeping.
2. Heat Recliners
The warm hug can save a lot of troubles, the ones we didn’t even know existed in the first place. Your recliner chair provides exactly that and more. The gentle heat from the heat electric recliner chair can help relax tight muscles, soothe joint pain, and promote better circulation, which may improve sleep quality for individuals dealing with chronic pain.
3. Zero-Gravity Recliners
These recliners enable individuals to get a near-weightless position, taking the pressure off of the spine and making them feel more comfortable overall. The zero-gravity position is suitable for people with back pain, circulatory problems, or who are merely looking to improve the position they sleep in.
As suggested by many studies, recliner chairs bring a relaxation position which elevates mood and also enhances sleep quality. Having a quality sleep is important in maintaining better health, metabolism and keeping your mood stable without inducing anxiety.
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Hush Hiven Donna Midnight Velvet Recliner with R1 Motorized Mechanism & Pocket Spring
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Hush Hiven Pebble Red Panda R3 Motorized Dual Leatherette & Boucle Fabric Recliner with Pocket Spring
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are recliner chairs good for people with leg swelling or poor circulation?
Recliners that offer leg elevation can improve circulation by encouraging blood flow back to the heart. This is particularly beneficial for people with leg swelling, varicose veins, or conditions like edema, as the elevated position helps reduce fluid buildup and enhances venous return.
2. Can sleeping in a recliner be a good alternative to a bed?
The ergonomic recliner chairs come with flexible positioning options that can let you adjust your chair according to your comfort unlike the standard flat bed. Thus sleeping in a recliner chair can be more relaxing and even aid with insomnia or sleep apnea.
3. How long should you sleep in a recliner for optimal benefits?
The perfect amount of time for someone to relax in a recliner varies based on their individual needs however studies suggest elevating your leg 15-20 mins prior to bed can significantly enhance sleep quality. It is particularly helpful for those who are dealing with acid reflux or sleep apnea.
4. Can a recliner help with insomnia?
It is true that sleeping in a reclined position can help relax the tension in the muscles and let you sleep comfortably and often at times, be a cure to insomnia. The best recliners chair for sleeping are the memory foam ones that also come with massage and heating features that perfectly caters to the contours and pain point of your body which can incredibly help you sleep and relax.
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