One of the fondest childhood memories that many of us share is falling asleep on the couch while watching our favorite TV show, only to wake up in the middle of the night and find ourselves magically transported to our own bed – our parents. Father, thank you true magicians.

As we grow up, even though we may still be dozing off on the couch and snoring a bit or two, there is no one to carry us to bed and tuck us into bed. Instead, we find ourselves dragging our tired bodies to the bedroom, only to wake up as soon as we get into bed. It’s amazing how, just moments ago, we were sleeping on the couch. What exactly is happening here?

a quick nap on the couch

Falling asleep on the couch is a common experience, and may be related to the body’s natural desire to sleep when tired, known as sleep pressure.

Consultant Dr Manjunath PH says, “Sleep is under pressure throughout the day, and when you relax on the sofa in a comfortable, semi-conscious state, it is an ideal time for your brain to meet its need for rest. Creates the landscape.” Interventional Pulmonologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru.

Doctors say sleep pressure is caused by the accumulation of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep. As this increases throughout the day, even brief moments of relaxation can produce a quick response to relaxation, especially if you are mentally relaxed.

He shares, “Your body may respond to this sleep pressure by falling asleep faster in a non-intentional setting, such as on the couch.”

Additionally, Dr. SM Fayaz, consultant, internal medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, mentions that the relaxed state signals the brain that it is time to rest, reducing alertness and promoting sleep.

“Soft sounds, white noise from the TV or any quiet activity in the house add to the stillness, making the sofa a breeding ground for napping,” he says.

Meanwhile, Dr Satyanarayana Mysore, HOD and consultant, pulmonology, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, says the environment has a significant impact on the onset, consistency and quality of sleep.

Warm temperatures shorten sleep cycles, while cooler environments favor longer duration and greater satisfaction from sleep.

It’s worth noting that couches provide a comfortable, non-structured setting, which can reduce the pressure of trying to fall asleep. Sleep is more likely to occur in a comfortable environment than in bed, where there may be more pressure to achieve sleep. Even though sleeping on the couch can cause back pain, who can resist lying there and relaxing?

Circadian rhythm is also a factor

Experts say the circadian rhythm, or the body’s internal clock, plays a key role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle and preparing your body for rest at certain times.

Dr. Manjunath says, “If you’re relaxing on the couch during your body’s natural alertness period, such as early afternoon or late evening, you may easily doze off because your body perceives it as sleep time.” ” Ph.

Dr. Faiyaz also says that as evening approaches, melatonin levels within the body increase, causing drowsiness and signaling that it is time to sleep.

During this time, if you lie down on the sofa, the body’s innate ability to relax starts to surface. The combination of soothing surroundings and biological cues creates the perfect conditions for sleep.

blame your age

As people age, their sleep habits and needs also change. If they don’t get enough sleep at night due to insomnia or sleep apnea, they may sleep on the couch.

Dr. Manjunath PH tells us that changes in sleep structure and the cumulative effects of sleep pressure may cause older adults to be more likely to snooze or fall asleep unintentionally, including on the couch.

After dozing on the couch…

If you want to know why your sleep disappears as soon as you move from the couch to the bed, it’s probably because you are disrupting your sleep cycle.

The act of moving can cause your body to shift from a relaxed, semi-asleep state to increased alertness. This may reset your sleep pressure slightly and interfere with your ability to fall asleep again, especially if you are now wide awake and trying to recreate the comfort of the couch.

struggle to sleep in bed

According to Dr. Faiyaz, several factors can make it difficult for you to sleep in bed.

• Stress or anxiety causes your mind to race, making it difficult to calm down.
• An uncomfortable mattress or pillow can adversely affect sleep quality.
• Environmental factors such as noise, light, and temperature can also disrupt sleep.
• Using devices in bed can activate your brain, making it difficult to sleep.
• Other medical problems such as insomnia or sleep apnea, as well as lifestyle factors such as excessive caffeine intake or irregular sleeping hours, can aggravate the problem.

“The bed may seem more ‘formal’ than the comfortable environment of a sofa, where there is less pressure to fall asleep,” says Dr. Manjunath PH.

rejoining the bed

It is important to understand that the ease of sleeping on a couch versus difficulty on a bed can be attributed to the state of relaxation versus effort.

On the couch, there is no active intention to sleep, allowing your body to naturally relax. However, when you go to bed, you may become more mentally alert and forcefully try to fall asleep, which paradoxically makes it harder to nap.

This creates a psychological barrier between rest and sleep in the bed environment.

Create positive associations with the bed to improve your sleep.

• Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
• Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet.
• Avoid activities in bed that are not sleep-related.
• Mindfulness and relaxation exercises can help reduce anxiety about sleep.

You can also break the habit of sleeping on the couch by limiting your couch time to activities like watching TV or reading, but actively going to bed when you start feeling sleepy.