Changing Your Sleeping Position Might Improve Your Health

Sep 10, 2019

Getting sleep is one of the best things that you can do for your health. To get the most out of each night, it's important to sleep in the right position. Because your sleeping position affects more than your comfort – It can also affect your overall health.

Benefits

• Prevents acid reflux
• Reduces the chances of headaches or wrinkles
• Keeps your spine, arms, and neck in alignment

Drawbacks

• Can worsen pain in the lower back
• Gravity can worsen snoring and sleep apnea
• Can negatively impact a fetus

Solutions

You can skip out on using a pillow to keep your body in a neutral position. This may reduce snoring. Placing a large pillow underneath your knees may help support the natural curve in your lower back.

This position is where you are on your side with your knees pulled into your chest. Your chin is tilting slightly down like a baby sleeping peacefully.

Benefits

• Preferred for pregnant women
• Can reduce snoring and sleep apnea
• On the left side, this position can reduce acid reflux

Drawbacks

• Can lead to wrinkles

Solution

A firm pillow can help support your head. If you sleep in this position, you can reduce the strain on your neck and back by switching sides during the night.

In this position, you are on your side. Your arms are in a line pointing downward. Sleeping on your left side is better for your internal organs.

Benefits

• Ideal for pregnant women
• Reduces neck and back pain
• Alleviates snoring and sleep apnea

Drawbacks

• A lack of support can cause hip pain
• Can increase neck pain
• Increases risk of facial wrinkles, and skin aging

Solutions

Use a big pillow to prevent neck pain. If you put a pillow between your thighs, it can help line up your body so that you avoid hip and back pain.

This position is when you sleep flat on your stomach. While it might feel comfortable, most sleep experts say that this is the worst position to choose.

Benefits

• Can reduce snoring 

Drawbacks

• Can lead to facial wrinkles
• Adds strain to the spine
• Increases lower spine and neck pain
• Adds stress to the internal organs

Solution

Try to get in a sideways position to reduce the strain on your neck and spine. Then, place a pillow between the bed and your stomach.

These are just a few of the most common sleeping positions. There are many more, of course, so don't stress if your favorite isn't included in the list. Just let us know in the comments what we missed!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!