Can Sleeping in a Recliner Chair Cause Problems?

Sleep patterns change with age. Age UK highlights that sleep tends to become less deep and people wake up more often during the night or earlier in the morning as they grow older. These changes are a normal part of ageing.

But sometimes it can become almost impossible to sleep in bed. Perhaps it is difficult to reach the bed for a period of time, due to surgery or injury. Or maybe, for health reasons, lying down in a flat position is to be avoided.

Reclining chairs are so comfortable that they are easy to nod off in. Of course, it’s fine to have a nap in a reclining chair… but what if you would like – or need – to sleep for longer? Can it cause problems?

Here are the pros and cons of sleeping in a recliner chair:

What are the dangers of sleeping in a recliner?

An average adult changes position many times during a full night’s sleep, so some health issues may arise due to the lack of movement that comes with sleeping in a reclining chair:

• Sleeping flat allows the spine to take a break, so sleeping only on a recliner may cause back pain to develop.
• Tightening of the joints, especially in elderly people.
• Pressure sores (although these can develop in bed too).

What are the health benefits of sleeping in a recliner?

Firstly, actually getting some sleep! If an elderly person cannot sleep in a bed, sleeping in a reclining chair is better than not sleeping at all. Plus, the reclined position may bring additional benefits for people with:

• Poor circulation, which can be improved when the legs are raised above the level of the hips as this helps the blood flow back to the heart and reduces swelling and pain in the legs. So, if your loved one suffers from poor circulation and has been told to keep their limbs elevated, sleeping in a recliner chair is a good option.
• Heartburn or acid reflux as when we lie down, gravity stops pushing our stomach contents away from the oesophagus. Sleeping in a reclined position may help ease heartburn and reflux by keeping the body in a more upright position.
• Sleep apnea, which is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. It increases with age and so some elderly people find it easier to sleep in a more upright position in a recliner.

There are two ways of ensuring that the benefits of an elderly person sleeping in a reclining chair can be enjoyed with minimal concern for the risks. Firstly, think about how they sleep in the recliner chair. And secondly, choose the right recliner chair… the very best recliner to sleep in.

Best way to sleep in a recliner

As the majority of potential issues arise because people are tempted to move less in a recliner chair than they would in a bed, be sure to take advantage of the fact that it’s actually very easy to move around in a recliner chair.

Work out the best way to sleep in the recliner by reclining to different heights, adjusting the footrest, ensuring you shift your weight from one part of the body to another. Move around as many times as you want before sleep to reduce muscle pressure and improve sleep quality.

If your arms or legs are bent, or if you are motionless for hours, it could in some cases, raise your risk of deep-vein thrombosis, a blood clot in a limb. Similarly, this can occurs in people who sit still for a long period of time in an airplane. But as long as you can recline back slightly, there are few risks in sleeping in your chair.

Use a pillow or another support to make sure you sleep as deeply as possible.

Remember that body temperature drops slightly when we sleep, so ensure you have a blanket and the room is well ventilated without being too hot or cold.

Do not sleep in the recliner for long periods of time when it is in an upright position; instead go for a flatter option to ease pressure on the spine and therefore avoid potential back pain.

Best recliners for sleeping

A made to measure electric rise and recline chair is the best option for someone who suspects they may well be sleeping in their chair. This means that the height, depth and width of the chair will fit the person perfectly and they will end up with the best recliner to sleep in. Even the upholstery and fabric can be chosen with sleep in mind.

Back style is particularly important for people who are choosing the best recliner to sleep in. A waterfall back means it is possible to remove fillings in each cushion to suit personal taste and individual comfort requirements. It’s supportive and soft at the same time and features in many Mobility Furniture Company ranges, including the Surrey collection.

Discover the Surrey Collection

Choosing a chair with an added heat and massage function is a good idea if you’re spending extended periods of time in it. The aim is to enhance circulation by opening the blood vessels, which reduces joint pain and encourages healing after surgery or injury.

The Norfolk collection has optional heat and massage seats along with memory foam, high pressure gel and aero seating. Plus, it comes in many sizes and can cope with weights of up to 40 stone.

Discover the Norfolk Collection

The size and style of our homecare rise and recline chairs can be adjusted too, taking sleep into account. The core advantages of the chairs in the homecare collections is that they have wheels so they can be moved by carers and their fabric options are super-easy to clean. These type of chairs are particularly helpful for people who need postural support and pressure care management. The seat and leg chaise are generously padded with memory foam for comfort and support (and are removable if required).

Discover our Homecare chairs

Another option is a bed that can actually turn into a chair. Our best-selling rotational chair bed, The Bingley, is designed for people who are struggling to get into and out of bed without help. It improves sleep as allows the user to lie at different angles – head or legs slightly elevated, for example. When the individual wants to get out of bed, the mattresses cleverly forms a chair that rotates, enabling them to get up onto their feet. That’s one way to get a good night’s sleep and then be up on your feet in no time!

Discover The Bingley

The bottom line

Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. Bed is usually the best place to sleep. But sometimes, health and mobility issues make sleeping in bed difficult and in this context, sleeping in a reclining chair is a great option. Think carefully about which model of chair best meets your needs and contact our experienced and friendly team to talk through your options. We can even bring chairs to your home for you to try out.