Yes, I sleep on a plywood board – as part of an apparently successful experiment I began four years ago. At the time, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. But I expected that it would be good experience to help build character and hardiness. So here’s what I’ve learned after four years:
- I find it fairly comfortable – more so than a mattress
- The pressure from my body weight is very soothing
- The pressure also provides relief for sore muscles – which is a typical state for me given the amount of physical activity I do
- It’s left me more adaptable – when I travel, a sleeping bag and slab of floor will do; no need for a mattress
- It’s more pleasant in the summer because it doesn’t trap body heat like a mattress – it does require more blankets in the winter, however
A few notes:
- I’m not sleeping directly on the plywood itself – at minimum there are sheets and perhaps a blanket between me and plywood
- At first, I slept only on my back – this was an adjustment because I never did this before – but I’ve since come to sleep on every side
- It’s not particularly comfortable to sleep directly on any bony parts
As mentioned, this is an experiment, albeit a long one. I don’t intend to sleep on plywood forever. Still, I believe a good bed is one that’s very firm. There’s a new experiment planned – sleeping overnight in a hammock. Let’s see how that works…
