20 votes

Do you sleep inclined?

23 comments

  1. [2]
    PantsEnvy
    Link
    I am not sure about this list... don't use an alarm something else use an alarm :/

    I am not sure about this list...

    1. don't use an alarm

    2. something else

    3. use an alarm

    :/

    20 votes
    1. Akir
      Link Parent
      I mean, it’s just a list of anecdotes. They are all “I” statements. None of this is real advice, and the vast majority of these are written by people who are not experts in their field. Some are...

      I mean, it’s just a list of anecdotes. They are all “I” statements. None of this is real advice, and the vast majority of these are written by people who are not experts in their field. Some are even attributed to “anonymous”. You probably shouldn’t be taking any of this as advice. Some of them are good things to do, but they generally aren’t explaining all of the details you should know. One of them I skimmed through tells you to rub a “crystal” on your face.

      Please excuse the tangent, but I feel that the word “crystal” has really been abused with inserted subtext. I mean, Swarovski makes some very pretty products, but let’s not pretend that they aren’t just made of glorified glass. Crystals are fairly common in nature and if you look in your kitchen you will find them in your salt shaker and freezer.

      9 votes
  2. [16]
    gowestyoungman
    Link
    Was reading this article on small things to improve your life when I came across #34: "34. Sleeping inclined. I put 15cm (6in) bed risers at the head of my bed and a host of healthy changes...

    Was reading this article on small things to improve your life when I came across #34:

    "34. Sleeping inclined. I put 15cm (6in) bed risers at the head of my bed and a host of healthy changes ensued. My circulation improved; my sleep apnea disappeared; pain in my shoulder, neck, back, hip and knee was alleviated. I wake in a lighter mood and with more energy. - Liz Selleck, public health professional, Boston, US"

    I'm very curious to know if it works. Have just placed my bed on an incline and will find out tonight if it makes a difference. Just curious to know if anyone has tried it and any noted results?

    There might be other nuggets in there too. Worth the read.

    15 votes
    1. [9]
      Matcha
      Link Parent
      I use an adjustable bed for this reason. There's a zero G setting.

      I use an adjustable bed for this reason. There's a zero G setting.

      8 votes
      1. [7]
        chocobean
        Link Parent
        I'm probably suffering from overactive imagination right now - but what does your zero G setting do?

        I'm probably suffering from overactive imagination right now - but what does your zero G setting do?

        3 votes
        1. [3]
          TumblingTurquoise
          Link Parent
          It's probably the name of the position that the bed places your body in. For example: https://casper.com/blog/what-is-a-zero-gravity-bed/

          It's probably the name of the position that the bed places your body in.

          For example: https://casper.com/blog/what-is-a-zero-gravity-bed/

          4 votes
          1. [2]
            chocobean
            Link Parent
            Thanks for the link. It seems to just mean "adjustable bed". That's kinda hilarious that they're marketing "you too can have cool space astronaut sleep in zero geeeeee" when it's just an...

            Thanks for the link. It seems to just mean "adjustable bed". That's kinda hilarious that they're marketing "you too can have cool space astronaut sleep in zero geeeeee" when it's just an adjustable bed - the exact wording is being tricksy hobbitses here as well:

            NASA invented this zero gravity position to ease the stress on astronaut’s bodies from launching into space. Now, you can experience that pressure-free feeling for yourself with a zero gravity bed.

            Sound to me, even if this is true, that this is a particular, non adjustable, stiff position, to help with experiencing lots of G's and hence tons of pressure, for use during launch - ie a short time once or twice per mision.

            Other marketing material talks about the neutral body posture : "the posture the human body naturally assumes in microgravity. Adopting any other posture while floating requires muscular effort." - that's not something NASA invented - that's just how the body works. And anyway the bed doesn't help the feet flex or the arms raise or actual erase Gravity's effect on a body - it's just stupid marketing that got my hopes up for a hot minute and I hate them for it.

            And then NASA has this to say about actually sleeping in zero G:

            Microgravity is a known hazard of long-duration spaceflight and can cause bone and muscle loss, vision problems, as well as cardiovascular deconditioning and immune system alterations.

            And that sleeping in simulated microgravity super sucks:

            “Within hours, my teeth were throbbing. Chewing and swallowing were different. My eyes watered and I got a headache,” Archuletta said. “Any attempt to move my head resulted in spinning sensations and acute nausea. My face grew puffy, and I developed back pain. They assured me everything I was going through is similar to what some astronauts may go through, so that kept me going.”

            So I guess, being in actual zero G feels awesome, as reported by astronauts, but it's bad for us, and so microgravity can help but it sounds like it sucks, and then adjustable bed is just marketing hype.

            What's worse, when I type in "nasa sleeping in zero g" on google, the first page has six results, five of which were to shill for beds, and only the NPR article I linked above, in position 5, has to do with actual NASA and space.

            6 votes
            1. gary
              Link Parent
              They may reference NASA, but they appear to be different sleeping positions. Your link has a picture and the article describes the sleeping position as head down, which leads to blood rushing to...

              They may reference NASA, but they appear to be different sleeping positions. Your link has a picture and the article describes the sleeping position as head down, which leads to blood rushing to the brain causing those symptoms. The Casper link shows a completely different position (very inclined) which couldn't cause that issue.

              2 votes
        2. Matcha
          Link Parent
          Almost a fetal position but sleeping. Legs go significantly higher with knees about at my belly. 45 or so degree incline.

          Almost a fetal position but sleeping. Legs go significantly higher with knees about at my belly. 45 or so degree incline.

          1 vote
      2. Habituallytired
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        I like my zero g setting too, but that's mostly. feet elevated. I have noticed that Mr. Tired snores way less and wakes me up way less with his snoring if I leave the base elevated a bit at night....

        I like my zero g setting too, but that's mostly. feet elevated.

        I have noticed that Mr. Tired snores way less and wakes me up way less with his snoring if I leave the base elevated a bit at night. So, in a way, I do wake up a bit more refreshed. With chronic pain, I also live in the bed elevated most days.

        EDIT: we tried it last night and my husband didn't snore at all! win!

        2 votes
    2. Wolf_359
      Link Parent
      I slept in a recliner for about 3 years because my wife and I had different schedules and I just found it comfortable and convenient to pass out in the living room most nights. I noticed that I...

      I slept in a recliner for about 3 years because my wife and I had different schedules and I just found it comfortable and convenient to pass out in the living room most nights.

      I noticed that I was more likely to stay awake longer on my phone. That was really the one negative.

      Other than that, I did enjoy it and still do sometimes. Less congestion, back felt pretty good. I tend to side sleep in a bed and unfortunately I roll my shoulders and back forward. It can't be good for my posture and I do have back pain sometimes from a bed. Never from the recliner.

      I still go back to that recliner whenever I catch a cold. Significantly better because it reduces the congestion and headaches.

      Slight incline on a bed? I'd be inclined to think there would be at least some benefits and it's probably way more comfortable (for some people like myself, at least).

      7 votes
    3. Jedi
      Link Parent
      I’ve definitely felt like that’s what I’m missing from my sleep, I always have to put my arms under my head and that’s not always super comfortable. I was considering buying some more pillows, but...

      I’ve definitely felt like that’s what I’m missing from my sleep, I always have to put my arms under my head and that’s not always super comfortable. I was considering buying some more pillows, but a bed riser might be the better option.

      6 votes
    4. [2]
      dirthawker
      Link Parent
      I've had occasional acid reflux and found a wedge pillow helps. I also had the interesting discovery that the back pain that always shows up at 4-5 am doesn't when I use the wedge. Unfortunately...

      I've had occasional acid reflux and found a wedge pillow helps. I also had the interesting discovery that the back pain that always shows up at 4-5 am doesn't when I use the wedge. Unfortunately it's also uncomfortable on the hip joints. Getting old is annoying

      3 votes
      1. TheRtRevKaiser
        Link Parent
        I have one of the wedges with the cutout for your arm/shoulder that are made for side sleepers. It took a lot of adjusting but I can't go back now.

        I have one of the wedges with the cutout for your arm/shoulder that are made for side sleepers. It took a lot of adjusting but I can't go back now.

        1 vote
    5. [2]
      Chemslayer
      Link Parent
      I sleep in a hammock, which naturally inclines my head (and feet for that matter). It is very comfortable, and my super awful acid reflux went away (I used to wake up almost nightly and have to...

      I sleep in a hammock, which naturally inclines my head (and feet for that matter). It is very comfortable, and my super awful acid reflux went away (I used to wake up almost nightly and have to struggle to not vomit, which sometimes I failed). Wedge pillows didn't help, but the hammock cured me.

      Did nothing for my terrible sleep apnea though, but luckily I finally got a CPAP so that's sorted.

      2 votes
      1. TheRtRevKaiser
        Link Parent
        I sleep in a hammock when I camp and I love it, but I haven't perfected my hang yet so I do sometimes still wake up with a stiff neck

        I sleep in a hammock when I camp and I love it, but I haven't perfected my hang yet so I do sometimes still wake up with a stiff neck

  3. gowestyoungman
    Link
    Well, just to report back after one night with the head of our bed at a 5" rise, both my wife and I felt we had a better sleep. We both normally snore and neither of us noticed the other snoring...

    Well, just to report back after one night with the head of our bed at a 5" rise, both my wife and I felt we had a better sleep. We both normally snore and neither of us noticed the other snoring last night. I also felt my chronic acid reflux settled instead of got worse with the incline and that's a big deal... so far so good.

    5 votes
  4. cfabbro
    (edited )
    Link
    I can't sleep inclined, since I constantly rotate and roll around while sleeping... but I recently bought a kind of crazy looking orthopedic, memory foam, "cervical pillow", that accommodates...

    I can't sleep inclined, since I constantly rotate and roll around while sleeping... but I recently bought a kind of crazy looking orthopedic, memory foam, "cervical pillow", that accommodates back, side, and belly sleeping (all of which I do). It's done wonders for my sleep, and I don't wake up sore any more like I used to... well, except when my 85lbs dog decides to climb over and fall asleep on top of me in the middle of the night, but no pillow is going to help with that. ;)

    5 votes
  5. [2]
    EarlyWords
    Link
    As a backcountry hiker, when I look for a spot to unroll my sleeping bag on, my very first priority is that the ground is level. I will take jagged rocks beneath me, exposure, the risk of...

    As a backcountry hiker, when I look for a spot to unroll my sleeping bag on, my very first priority is that the ground is level. I will take jagged rocks beneath me, exposure, the risk of flooding, pretty much anything over having to sleep on any kind of slope.

    I have never slept well with my feet below my head or vice versa. The best I can do in those circumstances is find a diagonal. The incline that is described in the article and that several commenters are experimenting with would wake me up with an unbearable feeling of pressure in my feet from all the blood collecting in my lowest extremities.

    But good luck to you all! We all have different requirements for good sleep!

    4 votes
    1. 3rdcupcoffee
      Link Parent
      Agreed about selecting sleeping spots, but for me, if i have to choose one that is less that ideal, head uphill is preferable to feet elevated. I do sleep pretty well in hammocks though, which i...

      Agreed about selecting sleeping spots, but for me, if i have to choose one that is less that ideal, head uphill is preferable to feet elevated. I do sleep pretty well in hammocks though, which i guess is feet and head up?

      1 vote
  6. Jedi
    Link
    Woah, that actually makes a lot of sense.

    I used to lay T-shirts on my bed with the bottom nearest me and the neck farthest away, meaning I leaned over a lot. My back would become sore, then I would stop and procrastinate. Now, I put the T-shirts parallel with the edge of the bed.

    Woah, that actually makes a lot of sense.

    3 votes