Humans spend about one-third of their lives sleeping, so it makes sense that getting a good night’s sleep is integral for a healthy body. Sleeping through the night is easier for some than others, but sleep difficulty may be attributed to a number of causes. Some people eat or drink the wrong things before bed or they sleep the wrong way, making sleep more difficult.
If you’ve ever woken up with a sore neck or back, saying that you slept wrong is a valid excuse! Roughly 80% of Americans will experience back pain in life, and it is typically caused by sleep positions. The pose you sleep in can dictate the health of your body in the long run. To help you avoid headaches, stomach troubles, wrinkles, or poor circulation, we have the best sleeping positions detailed below.
#1: On Your Back
When you sleep on your back, your neck and spine are in a neutral position and there is no unnecessary pressure on the back. Sleeping on your back allows your spine to remain elongated and it also helps to decrease acid reflux. You want your head to be elevated so that your stomach isn’t level with your throat; this is a common way for acid to travel from your stomach to the esophagus. Snoozing on your back, however, can worsen snoring or be dangerous for people with sleep apnea.
#2: On Your Side
Sleeping on your side is beneficial if you are prone to snoring or if you have sleep apnea. Side sleeping can cause wrinkles on your face because your face is smashed on the pillow. The side on which you sleep can also dictate your health. Sleeping on the right side may cause heartburn, while sleeping on the left side may put pressure on the liver, lungs, or stomach. When you sleep on the left side, though, you can reduce your risk of acid reflux.
#3: The Fetal Position
This is actually the most popular sleeping position, with roughly 40% of adults sleeping this way. Popular doesn’t mean that this position is good for you. If you are pregnant, sleeping on your left side in this position is great because it improves circulation to the fetus and throughout the body. It also prevents your uterus from putting pressure on your liver. If you curl up too tightly, it can restrict your breathing or put pressure on your joints. Try to lengthen your legs and place a pillow between your knees if you sleep this way.
#4: On Your Stomach
This is probably the worst way to sleep, even though people who sleep like this don’t snore. Sleeping on your stomach can lead to overarching and it puts strain on the neck and back. Stomach sleepers can easily irritate their nerves, and that can lead to numbness, tingling, or aches. Try to choose another position to sleep in to have a healthier body.
