Colin Snow
While sleeping while standing up may be common in the animal kingdom, it is not recommended for humans due to the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the fact that our bodies are not adapted to this position. During the REM sleep phase, humans lose muscle tone, causing a feeling of paralysis and making it difficult to remain standing. While some people claim that sleeping while standing can help to relieve fatigue and improve focus, it is unlikely that one would be able to remain standing for long enough to get a full night's rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Comfort | Sleeping while standing is uncomfortable for humans |
| Muscle Tone | Humans lose muscle tone during the REM phase of sleep, which makes sleeping upright less comfortable |
| Deep Sleep | Sleeping while standing does not allow for deep sleep |
| Rest | Standing is not a good position for humans to rest in |
| Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) | Sleeping upright increases the risk of DVT, a potentially fatal medical condition |
| Microsleep | Acute tiredness can cause people to 'nod off' briefly while standing, but this is not deep sleep |
| Sleepwalking | Sleepwalking is a special medical case where people are observed standing or walking while asleep |
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What You'll Learn
- Humans can briefly fall asleep standing up, but it is not comfortable
- Standing sleep is not restful due to a loss of muscle tone during REM sleep
- There is a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when sleeping upright
- Standing sleep may be effective for relieving fatigue and drowsiness
- It is easier to relax lying down, allowing for a deeper sleep
Humans can briefly fall asleep standing up, but it is not comfortable
While it is possible for humans to fall asleep while standing up, it is not a comfortable position to sleep in. This is due to the loss of muscle tone during the REM phase of sleep, which would cause a person to collapse onto the floor. Additionally, sleeping upright for too long can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal medical condition. Therefore, while it may be possible to briefly fall asleep while standing, it is not recommended as a comfortable or safe way to sleep.
During the REM phase of sleep, the body experiences a loss of muscle tone, which can lead to temporary paralysis. This makes it difficult to maintain a standing position while asleep. As a result, sleeping upright is generally less comfortable than sleeping on one's side, back, or stomach.
However, there may be some benefits to sleeping while standing up. Some sources suggest that napping while standing can help relieve fatigue and drowsiness. Standing sleep is also associated with sleep stage 2, which allows for light breathing and can result in improved information processing and recovery of cognitive abilities upon waking.
Despite these potential benefits, the risks associated with standing sleep, such as the risk of falling and developing DVT, generally outweigh any advantages. Additionally, the ability to relax and feel at ease is essential for a good night's rest, which can be challenging to achieve while standing.
Overall, while humans may be capable of briefly falling asleep while standing, it is not a comfortable or recommended way to sleep due to the risks involved and the importance of maintaining a relaxed and comfortable position for effective regeneration during sleep.
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Standing sleep is not restful due to a loss of muscle tone during REM sleep
While sleeping upright is a common practice in the animal kingdom, it is not the best option for humans due to our physiology and behaviour being adapted to horizontal rest. Standing sleep is not restful because humans lose muscle tone during the REM stage of sleep, which is the deepest phase of sleep. This temporary paralysis of the arms and legs makes sleeping upright less comfortable than sleeping on your side, back, or stomach.
During REM sleep, the body's muscles are completely relaxed, and the body takes a break from bearing its weight. This resting mode is necessary for regeneration. However, when standing, gravity and instinctive reflexes cause people to quickly wake up to prevent themselves from falling over. Therefore, standing sleep does not allow for the same level of relaxation and regeneration as sleeping horizontally.
While it is possible to fall asleep while standing, especially in cases of extreme exhaustion, it is difficult to remain in this position for an extended period of rest. The body naturally relaxes during sleep, and this loss of muscle tone can lead to a person finding themselves on the floor. As a result, standing sleep is not as comfortable or effective as traditional sleep positions.
In addition, sleeping while standing does not provide the same depth of sleep as lying down. Standing sleep tends to keep people in sleep stage 2, a light sleep state that allows for quick recovery and improved cognitive abilities. While this can be beneficial for short naps, it does not provide the same regenerative benefits as deeper sleep stages achieved while lying down.
Overall, standing sleep is not recommended due to the loss of muscle tone during REM sleep, which results in discomfort and a lack of deep regeneration. Humans are better suited to traditional sleep positions that allow for complete relaxation and the full range of sleep stages.
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There is a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when sleeping upright
While sleeping standing up is a common practice in the animal kingdom, it is not the most comfortable position for humans. This is due to the loss of muscle tone that occurs during the REM stage of sleep, which is the fourth stage. This temporary paralysis makes sleeping upright more challenging than sleeping on your side, back, or stomach.
Sleeping while standing up can increase your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal medical condition. DVT is a type of blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. The most common spots for DVT are the lower leg, thigh, and pelvis, but clots can also develop in the arm.
When we are awake and walking around, muscle movement helps return blood from the legs to the heart, even though there is an uphill gradient in the body. Our veins have valves that prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. However, when we are asleep and immobile, our bodies rely on small movements to budge the blood towards the heart.
During sleep, our knees are often flexed, and we move frequently, making it uncommon to sleep in a position that blocks the vein. However, when sleeping upright, the risk of vein obstruction increases, especially during long flights or car rides. To prevent DVT, it is recommended to stretch your legs periodically, recline your seat if possible, or wear medical compression stockings to improve blood flow and prevent blood from pooling in your legs.
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Standing sleep may be effective for relieving fatigue and drowsiness
While sleeping upright is a common practice in the animal kingdom, it is not a natural position for humans, whose physiology is adapted to horizontal periods of rest. When we sleep lying down, we enter a deep non-REM sleep, and it can be difficult to wake up from this sleep stage, leaving us feeling groggy and disoriented.
However, some studies have shown that sleeping while standing up can be beneficial in certain situations. For example, standing sleep can help to relieve fatigue and drowsiness. When we sleep standing up, we only reach sleep stage 2, which is a light sleep state that allows for quick recovery from drowsiness. We can expect to wake up feeling refreshed, with improved information processing and cognitive abilities. This can be particularly useful when a nap is needed during the day but there is no time for a full sleep cycle, such as during work hours or while travelling.
That being said, it is important to note that sleeping while standing is not comfortable for humans and can be challenging due to the loss of muscle tone during the REM phase of sleep. This can result in a person falling to the floor. Additionally, sleeping upright for too long can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal medical condition. Therefore, it is generally recommended to sleep in a reclined position, with the body properly supported, to ensure a restful and safe night's sleep.
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It is easier to relax lying down, allowing for a deeper sleep
While sleeping upright—or even standing up—is observed in the animal kingdom, it is not the best option for humans. Our bodies are simply not designed to sleep in an upright position. We lose muscle tone during the REM phase of sleep, which is the deepest phase, causing the arms and legs to feel paralysed. This temporary paralysis makes sleeping upright less comfortable compared to sleeping on your side, back, or stomach.
During sleep, our bodies need to be relieved of the strain of their own weight. When we are standing, our muscles are engaged to keep us upright, and we do not get the same relief as when we are lying down. This is why we tend to feel more relaxed and rested after sleeping lying down.
Sleeping upright for too long can also increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal medical condition. DVT is a blood clot that forms in the veins of your thigh or lower leg after long periods of uninterrupted sitting or standing. If the clot travels to the lungs, this can lead to a pulmonary embolism.
Lying down allows us to enter the REM phase of sleep, which is essential for complete relaxation and effective regeneration. During this phase, our muscles are completely relaxed, and our bodies can take a much-needed break.
While it is possible to fall asleep while standing, it is more challenging to achieve a deep sleep in this position. Humans are more likely to experience a microsleep when standing, which is a brief period of unconsciousness induced by drowsiness. However, we quickly wake up due to gravity or instinctive reflexes that prevent us from falling over. Therefore, it is easier to relax and achieve deeper sleep when lying down.
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Frequently asked questions
Although it is possible to briefly nod off while standing up, it is not possible to enter a deep sleep in this position.
Humans lose the ability to control muscle tone during the REM phase of sleep, so if you fall asleep standing up, you will inevitably find yourself on the floor.
Sleeping while standing up can be effective in relieving fatigue and drowsiness. You will not get as much sleep as you would lying down, so you will be able to wake up sooner and get back to work faster.
Sleeping upright increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal medical condition.
If you are struggling to sleep lying down, you could try sleeping upright in a chair or by reclining your seat at an angle of at least 40 degrees.
