The Impact Of Sleep Position On Health

When it comes to getting a good night’s rest, few of us consider how our different sleep positions may be causing us more pain than comfort. Whilst some of us enjoy sleeping on our side, others prefer the fetal position or lying of their back, which is actually one of the most popular and health-benefiting sleep positions of all. Whilst our mattress, pillows and even the best pillow for traveling can all have an impact on our quality of sleep at home or on the go, we’re taking a closer look at what you might not know about how your favourite sleep position may be impacting your health.

Sleeping On Your Side 

Sleeping on your side is a relatively popular sleep position and, when carried out with the ideal body alignment, offers several health benefits too. In addition to reducing the likelihood of snoring, sleeping on your side can help to reduce lower back pain as well as joint pain and discomfort associated with fibromyalgia. If your body alignment is slightly off, however, you may wake up feeling stiff, particularly in your shoulders. If you experience this, or any form of discomfort when you wake up, try placing a pillow between your legs to improve your hip alignment. 

Fetal Position

The fetal sleeping position is exactly what it sounds like and involves sleeping on your side with your legs tucked into your body. It’s one of the most popular sleeping positions and not just because it’s so comfortable. The fetal position is also ideal during pregnancy, helping to reduce heart pressure and ease lower back pain. Day-to-day, it can also help to reduce snoring as long as you’re not tucked up too tightly otherwise you may restrict deep breathing as you rest. 

Lying Stomach Down

Even though few of us enjoy lying on our stomach, it’s a sleep position many of us are likely to have experienced. Even though lying on your stomach is an effective way to reduce snoring, it may be causing pain in the neck and back, putting additional strain on both your muscles and joints. As a result, you’re likely to wake up feeling tired and agitated from either a poor night’s rest or because of the discomfort. If you insist on lying on your stomach, try putting a pillow below your lower stomach to alleviate spine pressure. 

Sleeping On Your Back

Sleeping on your back is the best sleep position, providing health benefits all the other sleep positions don’t. In addition to helping to protect your spine, sleeping on your back also helps to alleviate both knee and hip pain through reducing joint pressure. It would just benefit you from a comfort perspective, but sleeping on your back helps to protect the skin on your face, reducing wrinkles and maintaining a fresh appearance.

Sleep However Is Comfortable For You 

Even though some sleeping positions provide more health benefits than others, it’s all about sleeping in a way that’s comfortable for you. After all, if you don’t have a good night’s sleep, the tiredness will soon begin to set in. Iaf you are experiencing any certain discomfort, it may be worth considering your sleep position, and using a pillow to support better body alignment. Be to sure to let us know if your sleeping position changes as a result!

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