Is Sleeping On The Couch A Bad Idea?

Is It Bad to Sleep on the Couch?

Although sleeping on a mattress is usually the best option, occasionally sleeping on the couch may be appropriate in certain situations. Perhaps the bedroom becomes too hot or too cold at times, while the living room remains a comfortable temperature. Maybe you like to watch TV in the evening, and you doze off before making your way to the bedroom.

You might also opt to sleep on the couch in order to minimize sleep disturbances for your partner or to accommodate out-of-town guests. People with limited mobility may find it easier to stay on the couch rather than make their way to the bedroom, especially if the bedroom is upstairs.

Potential Benefits of Sleeping on the Couch

People in certain situations might benefit from sleeping on a couch instead of a bed.

Easier to Elevate Head

A couch with armrests makes it easier to sleep with your head elevated, which may offer benefits for people experiencing the following health issues:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD is a common condition that leads to regular instances of acid reflux and heartburn Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and often worsens when lying down. Research shows that elevating the head of a bed by 10 inches improves symptoms compared to sleeping flat.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): People with OSA snore and have moments of stopped breathing while asleep, due to the airway becoming obstructed Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . In a study of people with mild and moderate OSA, sleeping with the head of the bed elevated reduced symptom severity by nearly 32% compared to lying flat.
• Orthostatic Hypotension: Orthostatic hypotension is a condition in which people experience low blood pressure while upright due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . People with orthostatic hypotension might also experience high blood pressure while lying down. Medical professionals often recommend sleeping with the head of the bed elevated to help improve blood pressure while sleeping, though studies find conflicting results on whether sleeping with an elevated head Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source affects orthostatic hypotension symptoms.
• A Cold or Cough: When you are congested, lying down can cause mucus to travel down the back of your throat, a condition called postnasal drip Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Postnasal drip is usually worse when lying on your back, but by propping your head up, you may be able to ease congestion and coughing.

Even though sleeping on a couch may make elevating your head easier, it is important to note that you may be better off purchasing a wedge pillow or bed risers instead of moving from your mattress to the couch.

Potentially Improved Sleep Environment

Couch sleeping might also be beneficial in instances when the couch is in a room that is more conducive to sleep than the bed. The ideal bedroom environment is comfortably cool, dark, and quiet Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source . If sleeping on a couch allows you to avoid disruptive sounds, light, or temperatures, it could promote more restorative sleep. However, sleeping on a couch long-term might come with drawbacks.

Drawbacks of Sleeping on the Couch

People primarily sleep on mattresses instead of couches for a reason. Mattresses are specifically designed for sleeping, which involves lying down for several hours on a nightly basis. Couches are not crafted to offer overnight support for sleepers.

Limited Space

Whether twin size, full size, queen size, or king size, the width of a bed is greater than the depth of the average couch. Switching from a bed to a couch could restrict a sleeper’s ability to roll over or adjust sleeping positions during the night. On average, sleepers shift positions Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source more than once per hour. The smaller sleeping space of a couch might not accommodate these position shifts, potentially resulting in sleep disturbances or discomfort.

The length of most beds also exceeds the width of most couches. For this reason, you might be unable to fully extend your legs while sleeping on a couch. Being forced to sleep in a cramped position might lead to discomfort or pain.

Unsuitable for Infants

Whether with a parent or by themselves, infants should not sleep on sofas, as they present more opportunities to become wedged in a tight place or have airflow blocked off. An analysis of over 1,000 sleep-related infant deaths found that nearly 13% involved a sofa Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Infants sleeping on a sofa are 49 to 67 times more likely to experience sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies sleeping on other surfaces like mattresses.

Experts expressly advise against a parent and baby sleeping together on a sofa because of the associated risk of sudden infant death Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , which is eight times higher when co-sleeping on a sofa compared to a bed. Even feeding an infant on the couch in the evening poses a risk because parents might accidentally fall asleep.

Back and Neck Pain

Couch sleeping may prompt neck or back pain, especially if you regularly sleep on the couch. Mattresses are purposely designed to support spinal alignment and reduce pain and discomfort Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source from pressure points. Medium firm mattresses Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , in particular, have been demonstrated to provide balanced support that reduces sleep-related discomfort and lower back pain. Since couches are designed for sitting and not sleeping, they might not adequately support sleepers.

Stomach sleepers may find it virtually impossible to sleep on a couch, as the armrests cause the neck to twist at an excessively sharp angle. Research also suggests that when back sleeping, symmetry is important to prevent neck pain Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Specifically, both arms should be in the same position, such as by your sides or on your chest. On a couch, back sleepers might lack the space required to easily keep both arms in the same position. If couch sleeping leads to an asymmetrical sleeping position, it could contribute to neck and shoulder pain.

Side sleeping may be the most comfortable position on a couch. The armrest can act as a high pillow, and a softer couch may prevent pressure points from forming. However, on a short couch, you may need to keep your knees bent, which may cause joint pressure.

How to Get Better Sleep on the Couch

If you are intent on couch sleeping, there may be several ways to promote sound sleep on the sofa.

Consider Investing in a Sleeper Sofa

A sleeper sofa folds out to offer a surface comparable to that of a mattress. This additional space allows you to fully extend your legs and adjust your sleeping position during the night as needed. With a sleeper sofa, you generally sleep on a thin mattress that folds out from within the sofa. With a sofa bed or futon, you sleep directly on connected cushions that fold down to create a flat surface.

Avoid the TV

Sleeping on the couch is particularly problematic if it is accompanied by watching television. Televisions emit blue light Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , which increases alertness and suppresses melatonin, the sleep hormone. Avoid nighttime blue light exposure and set the stage for better sleep by turning off the TV in the hours before bedtime, even when you find yourself settling down right in front of it.

Block Noise and Light

People often keep couches in common rooms and open areas, like a living room or family room. As a result, you might find yourself dealing with more noise and light disruptions while sleeping on a couch. Eliminating these obstacles to sleep is part of good sleep hygiene, regardless of where you’re sleeping.

Background noise Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source from nearby transportation or people can disturb sleep, negatively affecting your mood and thinking the next day. Consider using earplugs or a white noise machine to block nighttime sounds, whether they originate inside or outside.

Indoor lighting also negatively impacts sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . When you are exposed to artificial light while sleeping, you are more likely to experience shallower sleep and wake up more often during the night. If couch sleeping makes it difficult to sleep in darkness, invest in a sleep mask to cover your eyes and keep out unwanted light exposure. You can also use blackout curtains to prevent light coming in from the morning sun or a nighttime street light.

Choose the Right Pillows and Bedding

Using comfortable pillows and bedding can help improve comfort regardless of where you sleep.

Certain pillows work better than others to relieve neck and back pain and help you sleep comfortably. The best pillow choice for you depends on your preferred sleep position Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . For example, side sleepers generally require pillows with a thicker loft to maintain spinal alignment while sleeping.

If you find yourself sleeping often on the couch, it may be helpful to keep sheets and a comforter nearby. Not only can these help keep you and the couch clean, but they also provide a smoother surface than most couches.

Additional Tips for Better Sleep

If you are having trouble sleeping, adopting healthy sleep hygiene practices might help you get back on track. Following certain habits during the day and at night helps prepare your mind for sleep at night. Examples of sleep hygiene habits Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source include:

• Avoiding stimulating activities and excessive exercise at night
• Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
• Avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and evening
• Reducing naps, especially near bedtime

Reserving the bedroom for sleep only helps your brain learn to associate bed with rest, and may help you break the habit of drifting off on the couch.

Still have questions? Ask our community!

Join our Sleep Care Community — a trusted hub of sleep health professionals, product specialists, and people just like you. Whether you need expert sleep advice for your insomnia or you’re searching for the perfect mattress, we’ve got you covered. Get personalized guidance from the experts who know sleep best.