At least once a month, I wake up in terrible pain because I slept on my stomach. Even though it’s annoying, I know that changing the way I sleep is the answer. According to research, sleeping on your stomach puts stress on your important organs and makes it hard to breathe.
Sleeping on your side is the best way to go to sleep. Dr. Robert Hayden, a chiropractor in Georgia, says that this position keeps your spine straight and stops joints and connective tissue from being stressed.
Sleeping on your side is good for more than just your back. It keeps your lungs open, which helps with snoring and sleep apnea, says Dr. Natalie Dautovich of the National Sleep Foundation. If a pregnant woman sleeps on her left side, more air will reach her baby.
Experts say that if you want to keep sleeping on your side, you should use body pillows to support your upper arm, knee, and chest. Don’t stack pillows on top of each other; this will put stress on your neck. Keep your head level with the floor.
A supportive cushion is very important. A study from 2011 found that beds that sag make it harder to sleep. Dr. Hayden says to pick a cushion that is firm but has some give to it.
But sleeping in the fetal position can make it hard to breathe and put stress on your joints. Instead, stand up straight and don’t put any weight on your arms.
Sleeping in the wrong position can affect your mental, social, and cardiovascular health. Having trouble sleeping can make you gain weight, get sick, and raise your blood pressure.
To start sleeping on your side, get rid of stress before bed. Reading or taking a warm bath are good ways to relax. While comfort is important, a pain-free morning can be achieved by playing with where to put pillows and how to support your mattress.
If done right, other sleeping positions, like sleeping on your back, can also be helpful. To help your back, put pillows under your knees and head.
You’ll feel refreshed and pain-free when you wake up if you learn the right way to sleep. If the pain doesn’t go away, see your doctor to get to the bottom of it.
