The Best Sleep Positions for Your Health
Let’s face it. The world has become so competitive that it makes it impossible to always follow the expert-recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day. However, what’s an even bigger problem is that most people have bad sleeping positions, which expose them to problems such as back and neck pains, premature wrinkles, and stomach discomforts.
So, here are the recommended sleeping positions for your health:
Fetal Position
Research by the National Sleep Foundation indicates that the fetal position helps to reduce back pains and snoring. It is also recommendable for pregnant women as it allows the body to have better circulation while also preventing the uterus from pressing the liver on the right side.
The downside to this sleeping position is that it can limit your breathing if your posture is too tight. Therefore, strive to have a loose posture by straightening your body.
On Your Side
Sleeping on your side is good for your health. It ensures your spine is elongated and it helps to reduce snoring. You should also consider this position if you are suffering from acid reflux. For pregnant women, sleeping on the left side ensures good blood flow in the body
The downside to this position is that it can cause wrinkles since your face is pressed against the pillow.
On Your Back
This is the best sleeping position. It allows your spine, head, and neck to have a neutral position, and hence there is no pressure on those parts. Using an elevated pillow with this position also ensures your stomach is below the esophagus, thus, acid or food cannot come up in your digestive tract.
Combination Sleepers
There are people who sleep in more than one position in the course of a single night. As a result, it is difficult for them to maintain any of the mentioned sleep positions. If you’re such a person, it is advisable that you start your sleep in your preferred position even if you will change in the course of the night. It is also recommendable that you invest in a comfortable and puffy mattress since discomfort could be one of the reasons you keep on changing positions. For complete mattress for combo sleepers buying guide click here.
The Bottom Line
A good sleeping position improves the quality of your sleep and your overall health. If you want to adopt a new sleeping position, be patient with yourself as it may take some time before you’re completely used to it. Also, invest in comfortable pillows and a supportive mattress to improve the quality of your sleep.