The importance of sleep is no secret. It is an absolute essential for the proper functioning of the mind and body. While adults should get about six to eight hours of sleep every day some other aspects of sleep are also to be kept in mind. The sleeping position for instance is something that needs to be paid attention in particular. While the right sleeping position can mean a good night’s rest the wrong sleeping postures can lead to certain serious issues like lower back pain. So in this article we decided to be of some help and we will tell you all about the best sleep position that will ensure the blissful rest that your body needs.
All you need to know about the best sleep position
How most people sleep:
Most people have sleeping habits which can be termed as combination sleepers. So they lie on their back, on their stomach and also sideways in course of their complete nap. Although we all start off the sleeping process in a particular position, it is seldom maintained throughout. Apart from the common problems of pain the other problems from incorrect sleeping can be heartburns or wrinkles and even sagging of breasts. So let us now address the problem can look for possible solutions.
Side sleeping:
Pros: This is a preferred sleeping position for a lot of people and has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For people with sleep apnea or those suffering from chronic cases of back pain this is the ideal sleeping posture. Side sleeping ensures that the neck and head are aligned and the air ways are left open. Since the esophagus is slightly elevated this is the best sleep position for those who tend to snore or for those who are suffering from cases of acid reflux. For pregnant women too this is a much advised sleeping position.
Cons: As many as 41% people choose the fetal sideways position to sleep and while there are some advantages, there are some clear disadvantages as well. For instance those sleeping curled up in fetal positions have a chance of getting facial wrinkles as their face is on the pillow for most of the time. For women it can lead to sagging breasts and for some others it can cause problems in breathing since the diaphragm is restricted. The arthritis problems also have a risk of getting a lot worse than before for sleepers who pick this as their best sleeping position. There is also a strong tendency among the side sleepers to pick up shoulder problems due to the constant pressure exerted on the shoulder bones.Thing to note: The pregnant women should sleep on their left side so that the liver is not pressed against by the uterus. This ensures smooth flow of blood to the fetus.
Sleeping on your stomach:
Pros: The number of people sleeping on their stomach is a minority at only 17% of the population. Sleep apnea and snoring problems are helped a great deal in this particular position. It is also thought of as one of the more comfortable sleeping posture where you can feel the fluffiness of the mattress and pillow and sleep peacefully.
Cons: On the downside of things this particular position means that the mornings can be a bit painful and you can end up with stubborn feelings of numbness in your hands and feet. Neck pain is another common complaint from people who choose to sleep in this position. Lower back pain too is a possibility and this position is strictly not recommended for pregnant women.
It still is however a comfortable position indeed to retire for the night and you can make things better by having a pillow under the pelvis and exchanging your thick pillow for a thinner one.
Sleeping on your back:
Pros: The idea of sleeping on your back is often recommended as the healthiest way to sleep and is known to not cause pains or such problems in the morning. The most natural spinal position can be maintained if you choose to sleep on your back and naturally it is the best sleeping position for your skeletal structure and will help you beat the lower back pain when you wake up.
Cons: On the down side of this otherwise perfect sleeping position is the fact that gravity pulls the tongue near your throat and this is a condition that aggravates snoring. So clearly, the ones who snore should stay away from this position in general although there are benefits like no body part being crushed under your weight in sleep.
Also it is not thought of as the position to induce the deepest of sleep as most light sleepers are known to sleep on their backs.
Note: We strongly recommend that you avoid this position if you have a decisive snoring problem unless you are willing to use products that help to not snore in your sleep. Also remember to get the right mattress in such a sleeping position so that the spinal cord is perfectly aligned.
How to transition to a new sleeping posture:
- The transition process is never easy and in the initial few days the sleep quality will not be as good as you would want.
- Pick the opposite side of the bed to sleep as the unusual sleeping place would mean that the body would be less likely to get back to its old position.
- Keep the electronic devices and natural light away from the room you intend to sleep in.
- Do not compromise on the quality of the ideal pillow and mattress.
Final words
Irrespective of what sleeping position you have these tips are bound to come in handy. This we hope has helped you to learn all about sleeping posture and its specifications. Avoid all kinds of back pain and neck pain with the simple advices and make the sleeping time the ideal resting time for you. We hope this article has been of significant help in this regard.