The Secret to Better Sleep? Adjustable Beds & Riser Recliners

In this article our trusted experts, occupational therapist Natasha Bruce-Jones and James Wilson, AKA The Sleep Geek, discuss how adjustable beds and riser recliners work together to improve comfort, support, and overall sleep quality. You can watch their video below for more details.

Why is good sleep important?

“Sleep is the foundation our health is built upon. There's four things we need to live: food, water, air and sleep. And we can live longer without food than we can sleep”, says James. This means making sure we’re comfortable enough to get good sleep is vital to our day to day functioning.

How can an adjustable bed help?

Adjustable beds can help with getting a good night's sleep as they allow you to create a bespoke sleep surface specifically for the support and comfort you require.

Natasha says “they can also really help people that need to perform activities in bed, somebody that eats or drinks in bed, someone that spends long periods of time because of their health conditions.” This is because the bed can change its position to support your posture depending on what you're doing and has features like lifting the legs if you’ve got swollen ankles or help you stand from the bed if that's the support you require.

Can I sleep in my riser recliner?

The short answer is no – it's not something that is advised. “Riser recliner chairs are designed to keep you in good posture for a seated position which is not the same position you want when you’re asleep”, says Natasha. “When you’re asleep you should be able to lie flat, change position and roll to your side which is not something that you can do with a chair.”

Why should I have both a riser recliner and an adjustable bed?

One of the main reasons is so you can begin to disassociate your sleep environment from your functioning environment. James says, “Moving from a place where we spend the day to a place where we’re now going to sleep says to your brain and body, it’s time to start preparing for sleep.” Your chair is where you interact with your environment, socialise and are awake and alert whereas your bed is where you wind down. Differentiating the two helps towards getting a restful night's sleep.

Tips for buying a riser recliner or bed?

Try, try, try! Make sure they’re personalised to you, your shape, condition and what functions you require. With a chair, consider the height, width and depth to ensure it will support your posture to avoid any discomfort down the line. With a bed, consider the functions it has – do you need help getting out of bed, sitting up, do you need to be able to raise the legs due to swelling? These are all factors that should be considered.

At CareCo our Ultimate Comfort range for both Riser Recliners and Adjustable Beds offers a wide variety of options to suit your specific needs.