The years 2020 and 2021 have definitely messed up my sleep. I’ve become so accustomed to being on my bed that it is no longer just a place where I fall asleep. It has become a place where I relax, where I take my classes, do my homework, contemplate my life, and fall asleep as well. With all those tasks being done on my bed, my bed just didn’t feel like a bed anymore (if that makes any sense). So there were nights where I just didn’t feel comfortable sleeping on my bed, my mind wouldn’t shut up, or I’d feel like my bed was hard as rock, making it harder to fall asleep on it. But then, I’d go out to the couch, and within a couple of minutes, I’m out like a light. This got me to thinking about whether I am the only individual dealing with this problem, and whether there is a specific reasoning behind why it is easier to fall asleep on the couch than it is in your own bed. This article will be investigating these two questions along with the pros and cons of sleeping on the couch.

The first thing that I needed to make sure of  was for this article to not be biased. I asked my followers on Instagram these three questions:

Have/do you struggle with falling or staying asleep? 68 percent of them responded with a yes, and 32 percent of them responded with a no.

Have you ever fallen asleep on the couch? 77 percent of them responded with a yes, and 23 percent of them responded with a no.

Do you find it easier to fall asleep on the couch than on your own bed? 33 percent of them responded with a yes, and 67 percent of them responded with a no.

As a team, we also decided to ask you students through the MassMedia Instagram page. Here are the results to these questions:

79 percent of you responded with a yes, while 21 percent of you responded with a no.

75 percent of you responded with a yes, while 25 percent of you responded with a no.

15 percent of you responded with a yes, while 85 percent of you responded with a no.

With these results in mind, I decided to do a little research on my own, in regards to why it is so hard to fall asleep on our bed, and why it may possibly be easier for some people to fall asleep on their coach rather than in their own bed.

According to an article written by Kris Peter and published on smartsleepingtips.com, there are certain reasons why individuals prefer falling asleep on the couch than on their own bed.

One of the very first reasons is the fact that there is apparently no pressure falling asleep on the couch. Like I said in the introduction, being home 24/7, most of my tasks are done on my bed, so my bed is no longer a place where I fall asleep. Throughout the article, it states that “Many people go to bed out of habit and not because they are tired. This creates a tendency to stay awake. The bed then becomes associated with anxiety and not sleep.” Whereas the couch doesn’t hold this kind of pressure. This could be because of the location of the couch, and how couches tend to be in the living room, therefore providing an individual with a different and possibly more comfortable atmosphere. Also, the couch doesn’t exactly resemble anything. You can do whatever you want on the couch: You can scroll on your phone, watch tv, read a book, hang out with family. This lack of commitment makes it easier for an individual to drift off to sleep on it without any source of pressure. (1).

Another common reason why it may possibly be easier to fall asleep on the couch than on your own bed is because of insomnia.  If you don’t know what insomnia is, it is a sleeping disorder where individuals have trouble falling or staying asleep. There are various reasons that can lead up to one dealing with insomnia factors such as naps, constant anxiety, any source of physical pain, or poor sleeping habits. People who deal with insomnia tend to find it easier to fall asleep on the couch than on their own bed. The reasons behind this vary, but the main reason for it is, as mentioned above, a change of atmosphere. It is as if you are leaving all of your issues and worries in one room, and entering a clear minded room where one feels more comfortable. (1)

With that being said, falling asleep on the couch isn’t the most ideal situation. It does hold certain pros such as:

1.   Comfort: Some people consider the couch more comfortable than their own bed for sleeping. (2)

2.   It could help people with cold or flu symptoms: When one is sick, whether it be with a nose congestion or a fever, you are basically bed ridden. Therefore, falling asleep on your bed might not be as easy. But falling asleep on the couch with an upright position can help you be more comfortable. This comfort could stem from the fact that the position will help drain congestion, hereby making it easier to fall asleep.(2)

Although with certain pros come the consequences that one has to deal with when sleeping on the couch:

PAIN: Whether it be neck pain, back pain, or leg pain. If you get used to sleeping on the couch, you will end up feeling hurt one way or another. It is inevitable. Why? The answer to this is simple, because it’s a couch and not a bed. Falling asleep on the couch is not the most accurate position of sleep, because your neck and back don’t have any support whatsoever. So one is bound to feel pain. (2)

It’s not an easy sleep when you have other individuals living with you: If you live in your own space, then falling asleep on the couch shouldn’t really be a problem. But if you live with other individuals, such as your roommates/family members, then that might be an issue because of the constant noise that you will eventually hear if they wake up before you. (2)

In conclusion, if you ever find yourself having trouble falling asleep and you have a couch in hand, then you could try falling asleep on there. It could be easier and more comfortable, although we do not suggest you make a common habit out of this, because it can lead to constant pain and irritation. Let us know what other tips you have when you have a hard time falling asleep at my email here: [email protected].

1.   Why Do I Sleep Better on the Couch Than in My Bed? | Smart Sleeping Tips

2.   Does Sleeping on the Couch Have Any Health Benefits or Side Effects? (healthline.com)