Every person strives for a full and quality sleep, which helps restore strength and improve health.
However, not everyone knows that body position during sleep plays a significant role in this process.
What is the best sleeping position and how does it affect our well-being?
Sleeping on your back: ideal support for your spine
Sleeping on your back is considered one of the healthiest positions for most people. This position helps distribute your body weight evenly and keeps your spine in a neutral position.
The back is straight and the head, neck and shoulders are in a natural position, which prevents pain and discomfort.
In addition, this position helps improve breathing, as the lungs have more space to function properly.
Sleeping on your back also helps reduce the risk of developing wrinkles because your face is not in contact with the pillow.
However, people who suffer from sleep apnea or snoring should be careful, as this position may worsen their condition.
Sleeping on your side: Support for digestion and heart
Sleeping on your side is another beneficial position, especially for people with certain medical conditions.
Sleeping on your left side improves digestion and helps reduce heartburn because it places your stomach and esophagus in a better position to prevent acid reflux.
This position also improves blood circulation and helps reduce the strain on the heart, which is especially important for pregnant women.
Sleeping on your right side may be less beneficial as it may increase pressure on your internal organs and cause discomfort.
It is important to choose a quality pillow and mattress to maintain proper spinal alignment and avoid tension in the shoulders and hips.
Sleeping in the Fetal Position: Comfort and Protection
The fetal position, where a person lies on their side with their knees bent and pulled up to their chest, is one of the most popular sleeping positions. This position is especially beneficial for pregnant women, as it helps relieve pressure on the back and improve blood circulation in the body.
Sleeping in the fetal position also helps reduce snoring and make breathing easier.
However, it is important not to twist too much, so as not to create unnecessary tension in the joints and muscles. For additional comfort, you can use a pillow between your knees to maintain proper spinal alignment.
Sleeping on your stomach: minimizing the risks
Sleeping on your stomach is the least recommended position as it can cause various health problems.
This position puts unnecessary pressure on the spine and can cause neck and back pain. The face is in contact with the pillow, which can lead to wrinkles and difficulty breathing.
However, if sleeping on your stomach is the only comfortable position, it is recommended to use a very thin pillow or sleep without a pillow at all to minimize strain on the neck.
It is also helpful to place a pillow under your pelvis to support the natural curve of your spine.
Earlier we wrote about why you can and even should eat eggs before bed.
