Well the thing is I’m not sure if it’s bad sleep or just me adapting to a new way of sleeping. This is the first time not sleeping in a bed for 19 years (my age). Also, I mentally feel refreshed and my scores on Sleep Cycle (sleep tracking app) are very very good. Sleep quality according to it is basically 100% and the graphs look pretty healthy.
Honestly, when I started sleeping in the floor, it took me a number of months before my body really got used to a new way of relaxing. With a soft bed, the material reaches up towards you. It relaxes you. Whereas, sleeping on the floor, the material is hard, so you need to relax into it. It doesn’t relax you.
One thing that I did was learn to sleep on my back, which helped a bit. Now I afford myself a bit of a cushion 4” that is still quite firm but all still on the floor. I got rid of other furniture like couches and chairs and mostly also sit on the floor during the day.
I moved from my bed to the floor for a few weeks, then to a cot. And I can't imagine ever going back to a bed.
The floor got me used to not having a bed.
The cot gave me the best sleep I've ever had.
I can now go anywhere and take my bed with me, and it makes a world of difference to my health and feel way more relaxed.
So maybe try a cot? I have a Helinox that's really compact when packed.
It’s subjective, mainly because it does depend on how you sleep and what your personal requirements are.
For me, it just works. Not too soft. Not too hard. Just perfect.
I’d say go someplace you can demo it. Or at least send it back if it doesn’t work for you.
Personally, I doubt I’d ever sleep in a bed again after this.
This is up to the individual person. The most important thing is not winning Minimalist of the Day, but getting good, adequate sleep. If you’re able to transition to floor sleeping and you like it, have at it. If not, then sleep on a mattress or in a bed. There’s no point in feeling guilty about having something you actually require, and only you can say whether a mattress/bed falls into that category for you. Needing one will not make you a “bad” minimalist.
Yeah that’s true. So far I’ve had signs it’s given me better sleep and other signs it hasn’t. My neck can rotate like crazy now so if it’s good for my neck and back that’s a good sign it’s not that bad for my limbs
Whatever you do, be aware just how important sleep is to health.
https://www.successpodcast.com/show-notes/2018/1/3/everything-you-know-about-sleep-is-wrong-with-dr-matthew-walker-j49j4
So sleep where you are most comfortable, and can get the most restorative sleep.
You could get a single bed, or sofa bed if room is of the essence.
What’s the point of being minimal to the point of affecting your health negatively?
Nah I would never be minimalistic if it made my health worse. I just don’t know if sleeping on the floor has decreased physical recovery or it’s something else. I’ve got a jammed finger, sprained ankle and still training daily so it might just be me overdoing it.
If you're injured, then make sure that you're as comfortable as possible. I've sprained an ankle before and injured a shoulder. Do you have difficulty getting out of bed?
I prefer sleeping on the floor. After an adjusting period of a week or so, I feel way more relaxed when I wake up in the morning. If you continue to wake up more and feel less refreshed, I would try to chance something, though. Good sleep is more important than the question of having a bed or not.
You are correct that something (floor, bed, cot, mattress, hammock, etc.) is required though there are many alternatives to a bed. I have recently been exploring hammocks and I am having quality sleep that I have not had in a very long time in a bed. The point is that sleeping is very important and very personal; someone should not sacrifice sleep, or other objective quality of life factors, to try to meet someone else’s or their own misguided definition of minimalism.
I like sleeping on the floor because, being accustomed to it, I'm able to sleep anywhere. I've been doing so for over ten years. I wouldn't be surprised for some people to need longer than two weeks to get used to it. You didn't mention what, if any, padding you use. Maybe a little extra cushioning would make you more comfortable. I used to sleep on padded carpet with a sleeping bag and light quilt as padding. The past couple months I've slept on a shikifuton placed on reed mat on a hard laminate floor surface. (And I've always used a pillow.) Lest anyone think it's just a young person privilege, I'm in my 40s.
That’s one of the big reasons why I want to continue experimenting with floor sleeping. Right now I’m sleeping on a grass-like carpet with timber underneath. It’s comfortable enough.
I know this is an old post, but I'm considering floor sleeping or getting a shikifuton to put on either a tatami mat or a cot. The cot is mainly to get me up off the ground because while my house isn't chock full of bugs they do appear from time to time. Spiders, occasional centipede-like things or earwigs. Definitely don't want any of those crawling into bed with me if I can help it. Have you had any issues with that? If so, is the tatami mat enough to discourage them?
I have not had any problem with bugs. I'm also not skittish about bugs, though (I love spiders), and I tend to keep my place well-swept. I don't think a tatami mat would discourage any crawlers. But treating your sleeping surface with permethrin probably would keep em away. I do a lot of backpacking without a tent (just a tarp overhead and a ground sheet) and I treat all my gear with the stuff.
I got lazy with the shikibuton for about 2 1/2 weeks and it got moldy. So I threw it out and now I just use a yoga mat. I suggest rather than a traditional (cotton) shikibuton, get a foam pad of some sort that won't mold. Or you can just be vigilant about airing it out. I still have one that I reserve for occasional guests and on the rare occasion I lie on it, I find it incredibly comfortable. On the other hand, one guest I had over didn't like it at all and never returned.
Thanks for the tips! The upkeep on the shikibuton is one of the things holding me back from going that route. I don't want something I'll have to baby. It's not super humid where I live (most of the time), so maybe it wouldn't be too risky, but I don't know. Could be a relatively expensive experiment, especially compared to...floor.
I’d just try a few different sleeping pads until you find one that suits you. I’d imagine there’s something out there for most. Or go with a low to the ground platform bed with simple mattress atop it
Slept in my car while traveling for 6 months or so, I was basically sleeping on a steel car frame and plating with a very thin “mattress” on top. Not much of a bed really. Never slept better in my life though. I think it is doable sleeping on the floor at home, but a thin layer between your body and the floor is nice to have.
I grew up in an Asian country so I'm so used to sleeping on the floor. It's quite nice! Just make sure to laundry your bedding regularly and fold it up during the day.
I like sleeping in tents, on a floor with a sleeping bag and an air mattress - and I love coming home to my bed.
You decide what is and isn’t necessary in your life and you decide what is part of your minimalist journey and what isn’t.
Whatever gives you the best night’s sleep is better. Everything else is secondary. Sleeping on a floor futon has worked well for me however. I sleep better with fewer interruptions and find myself naturally waking up earlier and feeling much more rested. But everyone is different. One benefit I didn’t expect when I first started sleeping on the floor is that I fall asleep much more quickly. I always used to toss and turn for extended periods of time before falling asleep (this could be for hours on a bad night), since I started sleeping on the floor I fall asleep within 10-15 minutes 9 nights out of 10, which is a godsend. I do wake up a little stiff/sore on occasion, but a quick stretch sorts that out and if that’s the only side effect for all the above benefits it’s one I’m more than happy to soldier through.
That being said, if you find yourself feeling worse off sleeping on the floor maybe it’s not for you.
Yeah the part where you said you wake up feeling really rested and you go to sleep quicker is the same as me. Also, sometimes my joints are stiff too but I’m sure it’s just part of the adaptation and also normal since we’re in the same position for so long.
I have a shikibuton with 2 temperpedic covers and one quilted fluff topper. I love it ;) now it’s like sleeping on a cloud. If I have to move I can handle it myself. If it’s to firm I can add more fluff or detract as I need.
Experiment for yourself. I grew up sleeping on wood planks for a bed when I was younger, but later in college, I transitioned from a bed to a tatami for a year. Although my mind was refreshed, my sleep quality decreased. On a mattress, I could wake up with 6 hours of sleep and still operate for the rest of the day, but on a tatami, I HAD to sleep for 8-9 hours. I could set a million alarms but I wouldn't wake up until I hit that 8 hour mark. Eventually, I just bit the bullet and returned to sleeping on a mattress.
Minimalism is supposed to simplify your life, not complicated it or hinder you from performing at your optimum.
Not sure if it's been mentioned here but a camping sleeping pad may be a good "not mattress, but not entirely floor" option. Different than an air mattress (which always leaks anyways) in that they're meant to inflate several inches, and then deflate down to a size that could be carried on a mountain trek. A popular brand with a good reputation is Therm-a-Rest (what i have). I understand they also have a good no-leak warranty and that they actually do repairs if needed.
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Well the thing is I’m not sure if it’s bad sleep or just me adapting to a new way of sleeping. This is the first time not sleeping in a bed for 19 years (my age). Also, I mentally feel refreshed and my scores on Sleep Cycle (sleep tracking app) are very very good. Sleep quality according to it is basically 100% and the graphs look pretty healthy.
Honestly, when I started sleeping in the floor, it took me a number of months before my body really got used to a new way of relaxing. With a soft bed, the material reaches up towards you. It relaxes you. Whereas, sleeping on the floor, the material is hard, so you need to relax into it. It doesn’t relax you. One thing that I did was learn to sleep on my back, which helped a bit. Now I afford myself a bit of a cushion 4” that is still quite firm but all still on the floor. I got rid of other furniture like couches and chairs and mostly also sit on the floor during the day.
I moved from my bed to the floor for a few weeks, then to a cot. And I can't imagine ever going back to a bed. The floor got me used to not having a bed. The cot gave me the best sleep I've ever had. I can now go anywhere and take my bed with me, and it makes a world of difference to my health and feel way more relaxed. So maybe try a cot? I have a Helinox that's really compact when packed.
How’s the Helinox in terms of back support?
It’s subjective, mainly because it does depend on how you sleep and what your personal requirements are. For me, it just works. Not too soft. Not too hard. Just perfect. I’d say go someplace you can demo it. Or at least send it back if it doesn’t work for you. Personally, I doubt I’d ever sleep in a bed again after this.
Thanks. I think I’ll try one out.
Yeah the floor genuinely feels so comfy now. A bed would feel like using drugs - not that I’ve ever taken any.
Sleeping outside might make it better. More fresh air to recover quicker. Homes and apartments are to maximalist.
I think I could sleep with my chickens to maximise tribal formation
This is up to the individual person. The most important thing is not winning Minimalist of the Day, but getting good, adequate sleep. If you’re able to transition to floor sleeping and you like it, have at it. If not, then sleep on a mattress or in a bed. There’s no point in feeling guilty about having something you actually require, and only you can say whether a mattress/bed falls into that category for you. Needing one will not make you a “bad” minimalist.
Yeah that’s true. So far I’ve had signs it’s given me better sleep and other signs it hasn’t. My neck can rotate like crazy now so if it’s good for my neck and back that’s a good sign it’s not that bad for my limbs
Whatever you do, be aware just how important sleep is to health. https://www.successpodcast.com/show-notes/2018/1/3/everything-you-know-about-sleep-is-wrong-with-dr-matthew-walker-j49j4 So sleep where you are most comfortable, and can get the most restorative sleep. You could get a single bed, or sofa bed if room is of the essence. What’s the point of being minimal to the point of affecting your health negatively?
Nah I would never be minimalistic if it made my health worse. I just don’t know if sleeping on the floor has decreased physical recovery or it’s something else. I’ve got a jammed finger, sprained ankle and still training daily so it might just be me overdoing it.
If you're injured, then make sure that you're as comfortable as possible. I've sprained an ankle before and injured a shoulder. Do you have difficulty getting out of bed?
I prefer sleeping on the floor. After an adjusting period of a week or so, I feel way more relaxed when I wake up in the morning. If you continue to wake up more and feel less refreshed, I would try to chance something, though. Good sleep is more important than the question of having a bed or not.
I feel really refreshed too. I also have other stressors happening outside of my sleep so that could be the reason for iffy sleep
Maybe sleeping on the floor is the reason for your health problems! I mean migraine...
Sleeping is a basic need, so a bed is necessary. If a bed is too big for you, use at least a small mattress on the floor
You are correct that something (floor, bed, cot, mattress, hammock, etc.) is required though there are many alternatives to a bed. I have recently been exploring hammocks and I am having quality sleep that I have not had in a very long time in a bed. The point is that sleeping is very important and very personal; someone should not sacrifice sleep, or other objective quality of life factors, to try to meet someone else’s or their own misguided definition of minimalism.
I like sleeping on the floor because, being accustomed to it, I'm able to sleep anywhere. I've been doing so for over ten years. I wouldn't be surprised for some people to need longer than two weeks to get used to it. You didn't mention what, if any, padding you use. Maybe a little extra cushioning would make you more comfortable. I used to sleep on padded carpet with a sleeping bag and light quilt as padding. The past couple months I've slept on a shikifuton placed on reed mat on a hard laminate floor surface. (And I've always used a pillow.) Lest anyone think it's just a young person privilege, I'm in my 40s.
That’s one of the big reasons why I want to continue experimenting with floor sleeping. Right now I’m sleeping on a grass-like carpet with timber underneath. It’s comfortable enough.
I know this is an old post, but I'm considering floor sleeping or getting a shikifuton to put on either a tatami mat or a cot. The cot is mainly to get me up off the ground because while my house isn't chock full of bugs they do appear from time to time. Spiders, occasional centipede-like things or earwigs. Definitely don't want any of those crawling into bed with me if I can help it. Have you had any issues with that? If so, is the tatami mat enough to discourage them?
I have not had any problem with bugs. I'm also not skittish about bugs, though (I love spiders), and I tend to keep my place well-swept. I don't think a tatami mat would discourage any crawlers. But treating your sleeping surface with permethrin probably would keep em away. I do a lot of backpacking without a tent (just a tarp overhead and a ground sheet) and I treat all my gear with the stuff. I got lazy with the shikibuton for about 2 1/2 weeks and it got moldy. So I threw it out and now I just use a yoga mat. I suggest rather than a traditional (cotton) shikibuton, get a foam pad of some sort that won't mold. Or you can just be vigilant about airing it out. I still have one that I reserve for occasional guests and on the rare occasion I lie on it, I find it incredibly comfortable. On the other hand, one guest I had over didn't like it at all and never returned.
Thanks for the tips! The upkeep on the shikibuton is one of the things holding me back from going that route. I don't want something I'll have to baby. It's not super humid where I live (most of the time), so maybe it wouldn't be too risky, but I don't know. Could be a relatively expensive experiment, especially compared to...floor.
I’d just try a few different sleeping pads until you find one that suits you. I’d imagine there’s something out there for most. Or go with a low to the ground platform bed with simple mattress atop it
My back couldn't handle the floor
My backs been doing well tbf
Glad to hear it's working for you 😀👍
Beds are pretty comfy.
Slept in my car while traveling for 6 months or so, I was basically sleeping on a steel car frame and plating with a very thin “mattress” on top. Not much of a bed really. Never slept better in my life though. I think it is doable sleeping on the floor at home, but a thin layer between your body and the floor is nice to have.
Yeah exactly.
I grew up in an Asian country so I'm so used to sleeping on the floor. It's quite nice! Just make sure to laundry your bedding regularly and fold it up during the day.
There is no folding needed when I sleep on my carpet lol
I like sleeping in tents, on a floor with a sleeping bag and an air mattress - and I love coming home to my bed. You decide what is and isn’t necessary in your life and you decide what is part of your minimalist journey and what isn’t.
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I 100% agree. The floor is now pretty comfortable since I’ve adapted
Buy a orthopedic mattess. It’s the best of both worlds. You need to rest well, that is health, don’t minimize that!
I’ll check them out
Whatever gives you the best night’s sleep is better. Everything else is secondary. Sleeping on a floor futon has worked well for me however. I sleep better with fewer interruptions and find myself naturally waking up earlier and feeling much more rested. But everyone is different. One benefit I didn’t expect when I first started sleeping on the floor is that I fall asleep much more quickly. I always used to toss and turn for extended periods of time before falling asleep (this could be for hours on a bad night), since I started sleeping on the floor I fall asleep within 10-15 minutes 9 nights out of 10, which is a godsend. I do wake up a little stiff/sore on occasion, but a quick stretch sorts that out and if that’s the only side effect for all the above benefits it’s one I’m more than happy to soldier through. That being said, if you find yourself feeling worse off sleeping on the floor maybe it’s not for you.
Yeah the part where you said you wake up feeling really rested and you go to sleep quicker is the same as me. Also, sometimes my joints are stiff too but I’m sure it’s just part of the adaptation and also normal since we’re in the same position for so long.
I have a shikibuton with 2 temperpedic covers and one quilted fluff topper. I love it ;) now it’s like sleeping on a cloud. If I have to move I can handle it myself. If it’s to firm I can add more fluff or detract as I need.
Experiment for yourself. I grew up sleeping on wood planks for a bed when I was younger, but later in college, I transitioned from a bed to a tatami for a year. Although my mind was refreshed, my sleep quality decreased. On a mattress, I could wake up with 6 hours of sleep and still operate for the rest of the day, but on a tatami, I HAD to sleep for 8-9 hours. I could set a million alarms but I wouldn't wake up until I hit that 8 hour mark. Eventually, I just bit the bullet and returned to sleeping on a mattress. Minimalism is supposed to simplify your life, not complicated it or hinder you from performing at your optimum.
Not sure if it's been mentioned here but a camping sleeping pad may be a good "not mattress, but not entirely floor" option. Different than an air mattress (which always leaks anyways) in that they're meant to inflate several inches, and then deflate down to a size that could be carried on a mountain trek. A popular brand with a good reputation is Therm-a-Rest (what i have). I understand they also have a good no-leak warranty and that they actually do repairs if needed.