No matter who you are, where you sleep, or how often you move around at night, there is a right way and wrong way to sleep. The National Sleep Foundation has outlined the best sleeping positions for various types of people to get the most beneficial sleep possible. Whether you’re trying to prevent back pain or lessen the chances of snoring, these tips can help.
Most people sleep on their side, which is actually a good thing. Those who sleep on their backs are more likely to get poorer sleep or have breathing difficulties. When you sleep on your back, your head is more likely to fall forward, and your airway can be obstructed. This can lead to snoring or sleep apnea.
Advertisement
Sleeping on your side helps to keep your airway clear and prevents you from snoring. It also helps to reduce acid reflux. If you’re pregnant, sleeping on your left side is the best position to sleep in because it improves circulation and decreases the risk of stillbirth.
Sleeping on your stomach is actually the worst position for sleep because it can cause neck and back pain, and it is difficult to breathe in this position. If you are having trouble sleeping, try changing positions and see if that helps. You may find that you sleep better in certain positions than others.
One recent study found that most people tend to move around a lot during the night. When analyzing 664 participants, researchers found that people spent about 54% of their time in bed sleeping on their side, about 37% on their back, and about 7% on their front.
Males under the age of 35 tended to be the most restless and had more position shifts during the night. But researchers say this isn’t a bad thing. Allowing the body to move during the night is a good idea. During sleep, the body will account for any pain or discomfort and adjust its position accordingly. This is how the body generally avoids developing bedsores in everyday life.
So, if your sheets are too tightly tucked in, or if your partner or dog is taking up too much of the bed, making it difficult to move during the night, it may affect your sleep.
No real evidence has been found to be the ideal sleep position, but we know that comfort is the key to getting a good night’s sleep. This includes using the right pillow to help support the neck and spine properly. Lack of support for the head and neck during the night has been found to severely impact spine alignment, leading to problems like muscle stiffness and shoulder pain.
Advertisement
Specialty pillows such as a U-shaped or rolled pillow may offer a longer night’s sleep and can help to reduce morning and bedtime pain in those suffering from chronic pain.
Promoting Quality Sleep
Getting a quality night’s sleep can also be influenced by the environment, exercise, and getting the proper vitamins and nutrients. Sleep Sure Plus is designed to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness through a variety of ingredients.
One of the most important ingredients included in this unique formula is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone essential for regulating the circadian rhythm (the internal clock of the body). Sleep Sure Plus also contains valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting rest and relaxation. These two essential ingredients are joined by another 6, which all work together to provide a better quality of sleep.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
