What’s The Best Sleeping Position?

When you lay down on your bed you want to curl up and sleep in the most comfortable position. As the night grows, you eventually switch to a different sleeping position. The sleeping position that suits your body type is defined by how rejuvenated and fresh you feel when you get up in the morning. 

If you slept in an uncomfortable position the entire night, you will tend to have body aches that can lead to bodily issues including back pain, lower back issues, stomach issues or even neck pain. 

How to Pick a Position to Sleep?

For the younger and healthy generation, the sleeping position does not matter as much as it does for the older generation. As you grow old, you can have medical issues, therefore, you need to be aware of the position in which you are sleeping and if it is perfect for your body type. Let’s discuss some of the health issues according to which you need to pick your sleeping position. 

1. Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea causes your airways to narrow and collapse while asleep. It leads to snoring and sometimes mild discomfort which results in an obstructive sleeping cycle. Sleeping on your side or stomach can help you reduce sleep apnea offering you relief from snoring and sudden sleep breaks.

2. Heartburn & Reflux: If you are a person who is suffering from heartburn or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GRED), you might want to switch to your left side while sleeping. Heartburn and reflux can increase if you switch to your right side or on your stomach making you feel nauseous throughout the night.  

3. Creases on Skin: If you take care of your skin by applying different skin products including face serums, gels and regular face wash, then you might want to strict yourself to sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your side and stomach can leave creases on your skin leading to chronic breakouts or changes in the skin. 

4. Neck & Back Pain: People having neck and back pain can find it hard to decide on a specific sleeping position as it differs from person to person. Some people feel relieved by sleeping on their back as it alleviates neck pain while others prefer it to alleviate their lower back pain. Technically, it depends on your neck and back pain and how you feel comfortable sleeping in a particular position. 

Your best sleeping position is going to be your personal choice; a test and trial will be the best way to find it. According to doctors, the best sleeping position promotes a healthy spinal alignment from hip to head, hence, while picking your position consider the comfort of your head and hips.

Whats the best sleeping position or best side to sleep?

Your best sleeping position is going to be your personal choice; a test and trial will be the best way to find it. According to doctors, the best sleeping position promotes a healthy spinal alignment from hip to head, hence, while picking your position consider the comfort of your head and hips.

Position I: On your Side

Young toddlers split their night by sleeping in different positions equally, however, as they grow up they choose their preference. Most adults choose the side position to sleep as their spine eventually decreases its flexibility. Sleeping on your side offers several pros including healthy spine alignment and reducing back pain, especially when supported by a pillow. In addition, sleeping on the side subsides heartburn and snoring problems, offering people with sleep apnea relief from acid reflux and heartburn. 

People who can benefit from Sleeping on their side:-

• People with Sleep Apnea or snoring issues
• Pregnant women
• Older people 
• People suffering from back issues
• Adults suffering from heartburn and acid reflux issues. 

People who can face drawbacks from sleeping on their side:-

• People suffering from acute or chronic shoulder pain 
• Adults worried about their skin and growing wrinkles

Position II: On Your Back

Sleeping on your back proffers infinite benefits to people looking to keep their back straight at night. When you lay flat on your back, you keep your spine aligned and distribute your body weight evenly. This does not put excess pressure on any particular part responsible for body ache. Sleeping straight on your back also offers relieve to people with congestion and stuffy nose helping you to breathe properly. Not to mention, it reduces the chances of chronic skin wrinkles and changes as the face is not directly in contact with the pillow or the mattress. 

People who can benefit from sleeping on their back

• People with high congestion and stuffy nose
• People suffering from lumbar spinal pain
• People worried about wrinkles and changing skin texture
• People having chronic neck pain

People who can face drawbacks by sleeping straight on their back

• Pregnant women
• People suffering with heartburn and acid reflux
• People having sleep apnea or snoring issues
• People going through different types of back pain
• Obese individuals and older adults

Position III: On Your Stomach

Did you know that we spend less than 10% of our night sleeping on our stomach. Stomach sleeping is especially uncomfortable for people suffering from back pain, neck pain and congestion. While it does help people get rid of their sleep apnea for that particular time period but the ribs do not work well with the force of gravity forcing your body to utilise more energy at night. 

People who can benefit from sleeping on their stomach

• People suffering from sleep apnea

People who can face drawbacks from sleeping on their stomach

• Pregnant women
• People with neck and back pain
• People suffering from heartburn and acid reflux issues

Always remember that along with your sleeping position another thing that really affects your good night’s sleep is the mattress quality. Some mattresses may seem of good quality for some time but gradually hurt your body position and offer unbearable body aches. Hence, choosing the right mattress quality is essential. For example, memory foam mattresses take the shape of your body and allow you to feel the comfort of sinking into the mattress. It allows your body to feel comfortable and keeps your body aligned from head to hips.