Sleep is a funny thing. Too much or too little sleep can lead to a host of health problems. It’s strange how something we’ve been practicing since before we were born can be so complicated.
Different sleep positions can affect our rest and how good we feel in the morning.
Back Sleepers
Sleeping on your back on a good mattress is great for people with back or neck problems. The support of the mattress can help alleviate joint pain, and make getting out of bed in the morning much easier.
The drawback to sleeping face-up is the bane of couples everywhere: snoring and sleep apnea. This position allows the tongue to relax into the back of the mouth, obstructing the airway, and producing disturbing snores.
So, while you may be getting a restful night sleeping on your back, you may be interrupting your partners dreams with all that noise.
Stomach Sleepers
Although there are many who admit to sleeping on their stomach, it is considered the worst position for your body. It flattens the natural curve of your spine, leading to lower back pain. It forces your head either left or right, and that puts strain on the vertebrae and neck muscles.
If you must sleep on your stomach, support your back by placing a pillow under your hips, and try and transition to sleeping on your back or your side.
Side Sleepers
The side position is the healthy middle ground between the back and the stomach. Sleep on your side — particularly your left– assists blood flow to the heart. This position also eases the pressure on your back, and reduces the likelihood of snoring and sleep apnea.
Side sleepers are encouraged to cycle between their left and right sides, as this position does put pressure on the shoulder and neck muscles.
What is your preferred sleep position? Are you going to change the way you sleep after this reading?