It is no news that having a good night’s sleep is a good step towards having good health. What many, however, fail to realise is that how you sleep also affects your health in unexpected ways.
Just as there are different adverse effects associated with not having enough sleep, so also do we have various ways sleeping positions can put one’s health in harm’s way.
Sleeping in a new position could just be the secret to improving your health or putting a stop to the pain you might be experiencing. The position in which you sleep plays a major role in how well you sleep, as well as, how healthy you become.
Let’s take a look at some benefits and dangers of various sleeping position.
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Sleeping On Your Stomach
Unfortunately, sleeping on your stomach is the worst position to sleep in. While some studies suggest that sleeping on your stomach can help with digestion and sleep apnea prevention, it can also cause a lot of issues with your spine. It can put added pressure on the lower back and cause the neck to be turned at an unnatural angle for too many hours. The problem is that you cannot sleep on your stomach with your head down (like how you would lie on a massage table), so turning the head to either side puts your spine at risk.
It can also add a lot of unnecessary strain to your muscles and joints, as well as, cause both neck and back pain.
If you constantly wake up sore and tired, it could be because of this sleeping position.
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Sleeping on Your Side
Good news for those who love to sleep on their side; this position does not come with a lot of health issues. In fact, it can be a great position to avoid neck and back pain. If you do sleep on your side and experience regular neck or upper back pain, chances are you need to get a more supportive pillow or mattress. For those that suffer from regular heartburn, sleeping on your left side may help.
However, this position comes with its dangers. Not only can it cause stiffness in your shoulders, but it can also lead to jaw tightness on that side. Plus, research suggests that sleeping on your side could contribute to wrinkles.
Putting a pillow between your lower legs will help better align your hips to avoid low back pain.
Sleeping on Your Back
Some studies have shown that sleeping on your back puts you at a higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea. However, this seems to be more related to those who have other risk factors for the disease, such as being overweight or having issues waking up rested. If you sleep on your back and wake up refreshed and without any symptoms, then chances are your sleeping position is perfect for you.
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Sleeping with a Partner
If you share your bed with someone, it can affect your health for the good, as well as for worse. Those who slept with a snorer could have a harder time staying in a deep, restorative sleep. On the other side, those who shared a bed with someone and enjoyed cuddle time before snoozing were more likely to be happier and have a stronger relationship.
