I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite parts of going home for the holidays is getting to take a nap in my parent’s wildly comfortable recliner after a massive holiday meal. There is truly nothing like it in the world. And yes, while some suggest that naps are bad for your sleep hygiene, sometimes you’ve just gotta take advantage of a big comfy recliner.
However, napping in a recliner might hurt more than just your sleep schedule. As it turns out, recliners aren’t necessarily optimized for people to sleep in, since the chairs aren’t really designed for people to be hitting the hay.
Recently, one influencer and licensed occupational therapist, who goes by EquipMeOT on YouTube, shared a video detailing how you can give your body a bit more support when sleeping in a recliner. (1) While these tips are designed for people who prefer to sleep in a recliner instead of a bed, they’re still good to keep in mind to protect your spine and joints even while you’re napping.
If you’re curious about how to safely sleep in a recliner, read on to find out everything that EquipMeOT suggests.
How Can I Safely Sleep In A Recliner, According To This Influencer?
EquipMeOT has five major tips for making sure that you’re sleeping safely in a recliner. First, she suggests adding additional “cervical and lumbar support.” In case you’re not familiar, when people talk about cervical and lumbar support, they are referencing support for your neck and lower back respectively.
In her video, EquipMeOT shows herself using an adjustable pillow that she can drape over the back of the chair to support her neck or her lower back. She goes on to say that “recliners typically don’t have sufficient support to maintain the curvature of the spine long-term.” (1).
The second tip that EquipMeOT gives is to “add pillows across the lap to place arms and hands in a level position.” In the video, she shows herself using two regular pillows that you might find on your bed to keep her arms and hands label. EquipMeOT notes that this is to help prevent shoulder pain that might occur when sleeping in a recliner. (1)
Next, she recommends making sure that the chair is the proper length, which means that your feet should not be dangling off of the edge of a chair and your calves should be supported by the chair as well. (1)
Fourth, EquipMeOT recommends adding “height under the feet of the chair if it doesn’t recline flat.” In the video, she does this by adding a pillow underneath her feet. However, if your chair does recline flat, you can skip out on this step. (1)
The fifth tip that EquipMeOT recommends is also optional based on how strong you may or may not be. She recommends getting a recliner that has a “power assist lift option if strength is a potential issue.” This can help assist you in getting out of the chair easier if you have trouble doing so on your own. (1)
Should I Sleep In A Recliner?
While sleeping on a mattress that meets your support needs is definitely ideal, getting your 7-8 hours of sleep a night is also very important. So, if you’re sleeping safely in a recliner and still able to get your 7-8 hours of sleep a night, then go ahead. Although, if you’re consistently having trouble sleeping in your bed, or if you want to sleep in a recliner, you should consult your doctor or health professional before doing so.
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Sources
- EquipMeOT. Recliner sleep tips! October 15, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YkrrSHbNdaY
