On average, we spend 25 years of our life sleeping. This is necessary because adequate rest is vital to our general well-being. Sleeping well has many benefits: it not only revitalizes the body but also makes the brain function optimally.
We all know that time is very valuable, so it is of the utmost importance that the time spent asleep is used well. We offer an in-depth analysis of the different sleeping positions to help you to choose the right one for you.
Does Sleep Position Affect Your Health?
#1. Soldier position
Sleeping on your back with your hands at your sides is considered the best sleeping posture. This posture is similar to the Savasana pose in yoga. Also known as the soldier’s position, it is known to have many health benefits.
Pros:
- Perfect position to rest the spine, neck, and arms.
- It helps improve the general posture.
- Reduce acid reflux.
- It helps keep breasts happy.
- Cure insomnia.
- Reduces the chances of headaches.
- Prevents facial wrinkles.
Cons:
- As gravity descends on the tongue, this posture can aggravate snoring in people suffering from sleep apnea.
- It can negatively affect a fetus.
- It can cause back pain.
Solutions:
Try to sleep on your back without a pillow. It will keep your body in a neutral position and can help reduce snoring.
Using a large pillow on the back of the knees will help maintain the natural curve of the lower back.
#2. Starfish position
This position is a variation of the position of the sleeper. In this position, a person is lying on his back, but with arms on both sides of the head.
Pros:
- Perfect position to rest the spine and neck.
- Cure insomnia.
- Reduces the chances of headaches.
- It helps reduce acid reflux since the head is raised and the stomach can sit, so the substances in the stomach cannot return to the esophagus.
- Prevents facial wrinkles and skin spots.
Cons:
- As gravity descends on the tongue, this posture can aggravate snoring in people suffering from sleep apnea.
- The awkward position of the arms can put pressure on the nerves of the shoulders and cause pain.
- It can lower back pain.
Solution:
- Avoid using a pillow while sleeping in this position to allow your head, neck, and spine to rest in a natural position.
#3. Log position
While you sleep in this posture, you lie on your side with both arms placed straight down. It is advisable to sleep on your left side to better rest your vital organs.
Pros:
- The ideal position to sleep for the spine, since it receives full support in its natural curve.
- Prevents back and neck pain.
- Reduces sleep apnea and snoring.
- This is the best sleeping position for pregnant women.
Cons:
- Since the upper leg does not receive enough support, there is a good chance that you will develop back or hip pain.
- Sleeping on your side can cause skin aging, facial wrinkles, and sagging breasts.
- In some cases, it can even cause neck pain.
Solutions:
- Since this position can cause neck pain due to improper neck support, it is recommended to use a large pillow.
- Place a pillow between your thighs to support the upper leg.
#4. Yearner position
Sleeping on your side with your legs slightly bent, your arms extended and your head slightly off-center is known as the yearner posture. It is advisable to lie on the left side to better rest your vital organs.
Pros:
- Prevents neck and back pain.
- Lying on the left side can reduce acid reflux.
- It helps reduce sleep apnea and snoring.
- It facilitates heartburn.
- It allows the body to eliminate brain waste more efficiently and reduces the risk of developing disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- Research shows that people who sleep in this position are less likely to wake up in the middle of the night. This is probably due to the comfort the body gets.
Cons:
- Restricts proper blood flow and puts pressure on the nerves, which can cause pain in the shoulders and arms.
- Nerve compression can overload internal organs, such as the stomach, liver, and lungs.
- It can cause sagging breasts and premature skin aging.
Solutions:
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase to reduce the chances of facial wrinkles.
- Place a pillow between the knees to support the leg.
#5. Fetal position
The fetal position involves lying on your side, with your knees pulled towards your chest and your chin tilted down. It is the most popular sleeping position among women: more than 41% of respondents say they prefer this position. It is advisable to sleep on your left side to better rest your vital organs.
Pros:
- Reduces snoring considerably.
- One of the preferred positions for pregnant women.
- Sleeping on the left side can help reduce acid reflux.
Cons:
- Extreme curvature can strain the neck and back, causing pain.
- This position, like other sleeping positions on the side, can cause wrinkles on the skin and sagging breasts.
Solutions:
- Use a firm pillow to support your head.
- It is recommended that people who sleep in this position change sides at night.
#6. Freefall position
Lying on your stomach while sleeping is not the best position to sleep, and most experts do not recommend it.
Pros:
- In some cases, it has been found to reduce snoring.
Cons:
- It puts a strain on the spine and causes pain in the neck and lower part of the spine.
- Once the blood circulation of the face is cut, it leads to the development of wrinkles.
- It puts unnatural stress on internal organs.
Solution:
- Try to place yourself a little to the side, placing a pillow between your stomach and the mattress.
In the comments below, what is your favorite sleeping position? If you are following a sleeping position that is harmful to your health, it is advisable to change your position.
But It’s easier to say it than do it. Have you tried this? Do you think you can change your sleeping posture? We are curious to know!
Preview photo credit Stanford University
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