YOUR SLEEPING POSTURE CAN GREATLY AFFECT YOUR HEALTH (FOR BETTER OR WORSE)

Your Sleeping Posture Can Greatly Affect Your Health (For Better or Worse)



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By Sasha Brown
Posted Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 02:49pm EST
Keywords: back pain, proper sleeping posture, sleeping positions
For some, getting a good night’s sleep is easy to come by and for others, getting enough sleep is not easy by any means. There are health risks that come with both too much and too little sleep; dementia, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are all risks associated with this. Sleeping positions can help but they can also play a role in heartburn, wrinkles, and even snoring.

Sleeping on your Back

Pros: This is great for the spine and neck, because the back is straightened out and not twisted into any weird positions. The mattress is designed for sleeping on the back, so it is being used at its full potential. Ideally sleep without a pillow, leaving the neck in a neutral position. Sleeping all night face up leads to fewer wrinkles on the face over time.

Cons: Gravity forces the base of the tongue into the airway, causing snoring because it obstructs breathing. Sleeping on the back is also linked to very serious sleep apnea. Support of the spine does not always lead to the best night’s sleep, and a study has shown that poor sleepers noted sleeping on their backs more often than not.

Sleeping on your Side

Pros: Sleeping on the left side during pregnancy is good for both the mother and the baby, because it takes the pressure off of the back. Sleeping on the side can also ease acid reflux and heartburn. This is the most popular sleeping position by far, but because sleeping happens when unconscious, it has been difficult to prove this as entirely accurate.

Cons: Sleeping on the side can put pressure on the stomach and lungs, but alternating sides can prevent this. It can lead to arms becoming numb from blood restriction. Arms will become numb and over time this will negatively affect muscles and nerves. This position leads to the shoulder supporting a lot of the weight of the body, constricting the neck and shoulder muscles.

Sleeping on your Stomach

Pros: This eases snoring as well as some cases of sleep apnea.

Cons: This is known as the worst sleeping position. It flattens the curve that occurs naturally in the spine, leading to lower back pain. Sleeping the entire night with the head turned only one way puts a strain on the neck. It is possible to use pillows to train oneself gradually to sleep on one side. If lower back pains are a problem, place a pillow under the hips and lower abdomen to raise the bottom of the spine.

Memory Foam Toppers

If experiencing pains no matter what position chosen to sleep in, memory foam toppers can help to ease back pains. They can be placed atop any mattress of any size. Mattress toppers may reduce the strain applied to the pressure points on the body while sleeping, and help to relieve aches and pains. When sleeping conditions are improved with a topper, sleeping patterns will be improved overall, leading to a more energetic feeling during the day.

Sources:

Sleeping Positions to Stay Healthy

Memory Foam Mattress toppers

Best Sleeping Positions

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