Soft cushioned chairs and mattresses
Our lives revolve around cushions, sitting on soft cushioned chairs at work, cushioned sofas at home, and thick mattresses at night. All these cushiness only make us soft and vulnerable, don’t you think?
We are surrounded by things and more things in our places of work and at home. Things that we cherish think about and allow us to occupy our minds and take our attention and time. That is why we are relentlessly in pursuit of more.
More things.
The thirst for materialistic pursuits is unquenchable. Until you discover they are really not what you are looking for in life. If you strongly believe that your items make you happy, why then do you go and purchase more?
I know… I know it’s a weird feeling, but I will tell you this without charging you–a stuffy house or office makes your life complicated.
For what seemed like the longest time, I realized that my life was taking a completely different path than what I actually wanted–which most of us are sadly on. A path that is littered with objects, and we have to work harder to have furnished this kind of lifestyle. That is why we shop and re-shop for things.
It’s funny when you wake up from a mistruth or dream, and the effect is always the same–realization that is followed by change. Sometimes the adjustment is subtle, sometimes dramatic. For me, it was a dramatic kind. I have read countless books with the same profound impact on floor sleeping and the value of letting go of ‘things’ and following a more deliberate way of living.
Minimalism doesn’t have to mean living in a tiny house and becoming a monk. It is being happy and satisfied with less or dealing with unnecessary items such as your king-sized bed and that thick giant mattress. I get it because I have been there; letting go of all your valuable stuff is not something you can stomach. We are brought up knowing that success or complete happiness is owning a big house, a fleet of expensive cars, or owning the latest gadgets. In most cases, we buy these things, not because we really need them, but to show other people that we have made it or we are successful. Right?
It is also difficult because we are surrounded by sales teams, both online and offline advertising all manner of products and convincing us that we really need them.
But remember, the larger space you have, the more the needs.
When you discover what really makes you happy–which I highly believe is not that cozy couch in your living room, the easier it will be to embrace minimalism.
Minimalism gives you the direction to take concerning your life. It is a way to regain control of your finances, time, energy, mind, and everything about you that brings peace of mind. Part of embracing less for me meant sleeping on the floor?
But why on the floor?
Sounds pretty caveman. Right? I Know. It’s what I thought to myself at first.
Looks like history is catching up with us pretty fast. The new trend of grounding and earthing is becoming popular as our dedicated researchers are uncovering the benefits. People are now discovering how the early inhabitants used to do things and why they are helpful to them. That is why we turn to natural foods, embrace nature, and be friendly to sour surroundings. If you ask me, soon we will walk barefoot.
For more than seven years, I had been dealing with back pains. From over the counter medications to chiropractic visits and doctor check-ups, nothing seemed to work until I discovered what I was doing wrong–sleeping on the bed of course. Well, my sitting for too long was the main culprit, and my bed made the situation worse.
The decision to send my mattress away on the garbage day wasn’t easy because I had invested resources, time, and energy to finding the best mattress, pillows, and linens. But I knew I had to do it and give this testimony that everyone is giving about sleeping on the floor.
Three weeks down the line, I am a happier, painless, and relaxed man. Being a programmer means sitting behind a computer for long-only God knows hours and dealing with terrible back pains and throbbing headaches from handling complicated projects. But that is part of my past now.
I have also resulted in eating like how human beings used to eat millions of years ago. I take coffee once or twice a day, no dairies, refined sugars or processed foods–only Vegetables. Incorporating this kind of diet with floor sleeping habits have significantly made my life easier. I can now concentrate on my work and personal projects. I have also noticed that I have a better sleep and my anxiety levels are low. In short, my general well-being has improved.
Our ancestors proved to us that rest didn’t have to involve owning a bed.
Floor sleeping means you can rest anywhere you are provided; there is enough room to accommodate your body. Think about sleeping in your home garden beneath a beautiful tree, or in a field at a park. Whatever you choose, your rest is guaranteed.
I know you may be wondering how moving from a soft mattress to a hard floor makes you rest better.
Looks crazy, right?
Like I mentioned on the previous page, research has shown that hard surfaces ease back pain. That is why people dealing with back pains are advised to sleep on firm mattresses that do not allow the body to sink in the various parts. Soft mattresses do not have enough support; therefore, the middle section of your body ends up sinking, causing your spine to curve. This is what leads to back pain. Whether you choose to sleep on your back or your side, both options have tremendous benefits of shaping and straightening your back.
Posture is also improved through proper alignment of the spine. This can be attributed to two things; the decreased pain and adequate support. If you spend most of your day sitting like me, the best gift you can give to your body is proper posture as you sleep. Thanks to the floor, you can wake up early, ready for the after a restful night.
If you continuously deal with sciatica–pain caused due to the bulging or herniated disc. The sciatica nerve that runs from your lower back all the way to your hips and each leg can cause pain if you sleep on a soft surface because it round your lower back and stresses out the joints.
What about posture?
Softer surfaces only curve your spine, but more rigid surfaces offer support. Those super pricey mattresses restrict movement and lock you in one position, hence prohibiting the natural movement of your body. That is why you wake up feeling tired or with pain either on your back, shoulder, neck, or hips, because you have been in the same position for too long.
Sleeping on the floor tightens the muscles and puts pressure on your body. It’s like you have massage night, which we refer to as dynamic rest. No wonder our great grandfather used to have those super athletic bodies. There were no gyms; the hard surface was enough.
Indeed the most priceless things in life are free.