6 Benefits of Sleeping in a Reclined Position

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After a long day out of the house, what’s the first thing you want to do when you get back home? Read a book? Watch TV? Play a game? Scroll on your phone? Yes, these are all valid points, but the main thing is to get comfortable in our coziest spot in the house.

For some people, this can be a bed, a couch, or a leather chair. But to others, it’s their recliner. 

Some people believe there’s nothing out there that beats the relaxation you get from a reclined position. Some may also spend a little bit more time on their furniture than others, going so far as sleeping in a chair!

That’s absurd, right? Who would ever feel like sleeping in a chair, let alone napping in one!? Okay… maybe napping in one isn’t too absurd, but sleeping in a chair may not be as uncommon as you think. In fact, some people say that sleeping in a reclined position is more comfortable than sleeping in a bed. 

This is especially true with our La-Z-Boy recliners from our furniture stores in Ottawa and Kingston. Many recliners can be great to nap in.

With that being said, there are also some health benefits from sleeping in a reclined position, instead of sleeping horizontally. But how is this possible you may ask? Well, let’s take a look at some of the benefits together!

In This Article…

1. Is Sleeping in a Reclined Position Good?
2. Increased Blood Circulation
3. Improves Sleeping Disorders
4. Reduces Acid Reflux
5. Eases Chronic Pain
6. Helps with Major Surgeries
7. Great for Comfortability

Is Sleeping in a Reclined Position Good?

Evidently, there are some good benefits to sleeping in a reclined position. After all, we wouldn't have this article if there weren’t!

As we will be discussing in the coming points, Sleeping in a reclined position can alleviate certain health issues like acid reflux and sleep apnea. However, it's not suitable for long-term sleep as it may cause discomfort and affect sleep quality compared to sleeping in a bed.

Is it Okay to Sleep in a Recliner Every Night?

Although it may be great for certain health problems, sleeping in a recliner every night is not ideal for overall health. After a while, this position can lead to stiffness, discomfort, and poor circulation. 

At the end of the day, a supportive bed is always an essential place for proper spinal alignment and quality sleep.

1. Increased Blood Circulation

One of the bigger benefits that sleeping in a chair can help with is blood circulation. While sleeping on your back is an ideal sleeping position, you can still get the same benefits when sleeping when fully reclined.

When elevating your legs, gravity works in your favour by circulating your blood throughout your body. If you put too much pressure on one part of the body–for example, sitting cross-legged–it may cause long-term problems in the future, such as blood clotting and other cardiac issues. 

This is why good posture is important, as well as placing yourself properly in your recliner when sleeping. All that to say, this may be why some people are finding it more comfortable to sleep in their recliner than their bed because of that added support.

At La-Z-Boy, our recliners offer the unique feature of zero gravity positioning, enabling you to sleep in a position where your head aligns with your feet, just like in a regular bed. We also have a La-Z-Boy massage chair that gives you plenty of relaxation as well! 

If you do choose to sleep in a reclined position, it is important to remember to keep your legs straight and not bent, to continue getting adequate blood flow to all extremities of your body.

However, sitting in any one position for extended periods is not ideal for the body. It is important to take regular breaks from sitting and engage in movement if you have been sedentary for an extended period of time.

Along with the zero gravity feature, there are also other Exclusive Features that La-Z-Boy Recliners Have, which you can learn more about in this article.

2. Improves Sleeping Disorders

Can be taxing on an individual, making them either sleep less or feel uncomfortable when in bed. Some sleeping disorders, like sleep apnea, can even increase the risk of you not being able to breathe, which is never good.

When sleeping in a reclined position, however, some issues become less of a problem. But how does a reclined position help out in your favour exactly?

Studies have shown that elevating your upper body from a flat position helps alleviate the obstruction that your airways may have, opening them up and reducing the chances of snoring and/or choking. Even sleeping in a semi-reclining position can alleviate the chances too.

With this in mind, you may provide a quieter and more comfortable sleeping environment for yourself and others who live with you.

3. Reduces Acid Reflux

Some people may not know this, but acid reflux can cause some disruption throughout the day. Sometimes a quick Tums to the throat can help alleviate this problem, but you might feel a little heartburn after waking up from a goodnight sleep. 

How does this happen? Well, when sleeping in your bed at night, gravity prevents your body from pushing stomach contents away from your esophagus, which is the burning sensation people feel when they are experiencing heartburn.

But, what if I told you that sleeping in a chair that reclines can help with this? As people suffering from sleep apnea benefit from gravity working in their favour, sleeping in a reclining position with those who have acid reflux helps keep the acid in your stomach from reaching your esophagus.  

4. Eases Chronic Pain

Another big problem that some people may suffer from is chronic pain. Whether it is in your neck, your back or other parts of your body, a recliner can help reduce and ease the stress on your spine pretty easily. 

When sleeping in a reclined position, your body is still properly aligned so that the tension in your joints can relax and feel less strained.

What’s more, if you have a La-Z-Boy recliner with an Adjustable Headrest & Lumbar Support, your body can feel more comfortable with the touch of a button. Just adjust the headrest and the lower lumbar to your needs and your body may feel some relief. If this is a feature you’d like to learn more about, check out this article. 

If that doesn’t work, La-Z-Boy furniture also has a Heat & Massage upgrade available. A La-Z-Boy massage chair is known to be beneficial for reducing muscle spasms. However, it is important to note that too much massaging can create more inflammation or pain, so be aware of this when using these settings.

To learn more about some chairs at La-Z-Boy that are Good for Back Pain, take a look at this article. 

5. Helps with Major Surgeries

While sleeping in a chair is shown to help improve blood flow and chronic back pain, there is also another factor that plays into both of these benefits. Some individuals may be recovering from a major surgery of some kind, and are looking for a furniture piece that can provide comfort and support.

This is where a comfortable recliner can come in handy. When in a reclined position, raising a healing leg or adding a pillowy surface to your neck can make a huge difference in relieving pain and making a fast recovery.

In fact, there are many customer reviews about La-Z-Boy recliners that discuss how helpful recliners can be when recovering from surgery. Take a look!

6. Great for Comfortability

Last but not least, while it may not replace your bed, being in a recliner for sleep is still a comfortable option for many.

By reclining before bed, you can enhance your overall sleep routine and increase your chances of getting a good night’s sleep. After all, these products are designed to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Feeling relaxed before sleep can greatly improve your ability to fall asleep more easily.

If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, recliners are also proven to promote a sense of calm and well-being.

For those who may have a hard time getting up the stairs to their bedroom or have a hard time getting up in general, sleeping in a chair is not the worst idea you can make. In fact, if you are someone who suffers from mobility issues, La-Z-Boy offers Lift Recliners for easy access to get up and out of your favourite seat when necessary.

To learn more about our Lift Chair selection, take a look at this article.

What's Next?

After reading this article, you could probably use a good nap right about now. I don’t know about you but I certainly need one.

Before you close your device, however, why not take a look at our Best-Selling Recliners?Who knows, maybe one of these recliners may be your next “second bed!”

If you’re interested in checking out our furniture selection in person, you can visit any of our local furniture stores in Ottawa & Kingston locations. You can also book an appointment online before coming in!

You might also feel like taking advantage of our complimentary interior design services, to see how your living room can become your next sleeping oasis.

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