4 Ways Sleeping in a Zero Gravity Chair Improves Sleep Quality

man treating back pain in zero gravity chair

In the United States, approximately 50-70 million adults have reported chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders. Lacking proper ways to improve sleep can lead to both physical and mental health issues. Zero gravity chairs improve sleep quality by helping the body reset, heal, and relax.

How Do Zero Gravity Chairs Work?

Zero gravity chairs do not, of course, defy gravity! Developed by NASA, these were invented to reduce the pressure on astronauts at the time of launch. Zero gravity technology and positioning differs from your typical reclining motion. In a regular reclining chair, the legs remain down while the torso reclines backward. A zero gravity chair benefits the body by positioning your legs above your heart level while distributing weight across the chair and reducing the effects of gravity on certain areas.

In zero gravity positioning, blood is able to return to the heart more easily and efficiently. The result is reduced stress on the heart, reduction in bodily inflammation, spinal decompression, and a plethora of other positive health improvements.

Negative Effects of Poor Sleep Quality

Discovering ways to improve sleep is essential for overall health. A consistent lack of sleep can lead to physical and mental health deterioration such as obesity, added heart pressure, back pain, depression, and slower reaction time while performing tasks such as driving. Studies have shown getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night can increase the risk of atherosclerosis by up to 27%, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

So how exactly do zero gravity chairs improve sleep quality?

Benefits of Sleeping in a Zero Gravity Chair

Zero gravity chairs work to address the underlying cause of sleep deprivation. This is the key for how to improve sleep quality. Daily usage can yield exceptional results throughout the entire body. Here are four ways a zero gravity chair benefits the body and promotes better sleep:

  • Spinal Decompression
  • Increased Blood Circulation
  • Fighting Sleep Apnea
  • Reducing Back Pain/Sciatica

Spinal Decompression

Over the course of any normal day, gravity causes the spine to compress. This can lead to your body shrinking ½”-¾” every day! Returning your body to a neutral position allows the spine to decompress and elongate. The reduction in spinal pressure lets you fully relax and increase your sleep quality while your body heals more efficiently. 

Increased Blood Circulation

In the zero gravity position, the legs are elevated above your heart level, improving the blood flow back to the heart. Blood is sent more easily to the lungs to oxygenate and flow more efficiently through the body. This improved blood flow allows organs to function at optimal levels, relaxing the body and reducing stress on the heart. Better lung functionality leads to deeper breaths and better sleep. Allowing the body to more fully relax and operate at its highest level is one of the best ways to improve sleep quality and overall health.

Fighting Sleep Apnea

For those with sleep apnea, finding ways to improve sleep is not only essential to personal health, but often important to partners. A zero gravity chair benefits those fighting sleep apnea by allowing the head to remain slightly elevated, reducing the blocking of airways. This positioning greatly reduces snoring problems, as well. Clear airways allow for better breathing, which in turn results in achieving a deeper REM cycle. This will improve sleep quality dramatically.

Reducing Back Pain and Sciatica

Back pain and sciatica are extremely common symptoms experienced by up to 40% of the population. Sleeping with lower back pain can be difficult and result in restless nights. Restless nights turn into tired days and suddenly your sleep schedule and equilibrium is entirely off. Zero gravity chairs benefit those with back pain or sciatica by reducing the effects of gravity in those areas. Using a luxury zero gravity chair for sciatica treatment means having heat therapy and massage features that further treat back pain, providing an excellent way to sleep better.

Zero gravity chairs improve sleep by allowing the body to achieve fuller relaxation, heal more efficiently, and function optimally. Increasing the body’s performance is key to overall mental and physical health. Consider which zero gravity chair is right for you and experience the difference for yourself.

Additional Sources

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5842a2.htm
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/
  3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325267