I doze off a lot faster on my overstuffed leather sofa than on my bed. I think it has something to do with snuggling up against the back; that touch acts like a big emotional beacon of safety. (Not that different from cockroaches who like pressure on their backs, too.)

Having a back panel (or two, on a king sized bed) creates some problems. How do you enter this bed? Maybe the back can be slid out from a body, or folded up like a wing. Does it need special sheets?

And there are some interesting questions for sleep research: Which shapes work best? Is the sleep different from normal sleep in a flat bed? Does everybody like couches, or just a few, and what's different about them? Does this transfer to cultures that don't use cradles for children?
-- jutta, Dec 17 1999

(?) Comfort-U http://www.feelgood...ProductGroup_ID=657
FeelGoodFast's sleep products, including the Comfort-U body pillow [big_lunk, Dec 17 1999]

(?) Temple Grandin's Hug Machine http://www.therafin.com/squeeze.htm
Thanks for reminding me, [hello.c] [jutta, Dec 17 1999]

The above link but currently functioning http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hug_machine
Interesting how a hug was needed but a person hug was too intense, a mechanical hug was enough [normzone, Jun 05 2009]

It might be that you always fall asleep faster on your couch because you only ever lie down on your couch when you're really tired, whereas you're not always really tired when you go to bed. Some kind of randomised trial is called for here: When it's bedtime a random choice should be made between the couch and the bed, and then the time to go to sleep should be recorded.
-- hippo, Mar 02 2000


humans like contact against their backs while sleeping (one of the many reasons spooning so is popular). many animals have similar predilections (dogs, for instance, often like to sleep against walls or sofas). i found an interesting body pillow (link provided) that gives you both something to hug and hold onto, and something that supports your back. i got it because of a back injury, but found it made a huge difference in the quality and enjoyment of my sleep...it really is a lot more comfortable.
-- big_lunk, Jun 02 2000


The Shakers had adult-sized actual cradles for the sick and/or old to sleep in (by the fire). I think they also had extended rocker arrangements so that someone could rock the cradle with one foot while working with their hands, far enough away not to vex the sleeper.

I believe Temple Grandin has invented something of the kind, called a Hug Machine?
-- hello_c, Sep 06 2000


Sullier.
-- bristolz, Nov 12 2005


Hennessyhammock, www.hennessyhammock.com. I bought one of those hammocks whick are more than just ordinary hammock. This one has allows me to sleep in it almost horisontally. There is no pressurepoints like sleeping in a bed so I get a great night sleep without tossing and turning. There is no need for mattress inside hammock but for insulation I have foam underpad. This is designed to hang between two trees but I am looking for solution to make some sort of frame to use it in my bedroom.
-- Pellepeloton, Sep 10 2006



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