Sleep positions and health: how do you sleep?

Sleep time requirements vary by age and individual, but healthy sleep is essential for everyone's health and recovery. During sleep, toxins are removed from the brain, muscle tissue and joints are restored, blood pressure and heart rate are reduced, the brain structures the information received during the day. The quality of sleep depends on many factors – From eating habits to room temperature, however, your sleeping position can also affect the quality of your sleep and how you feel when you wake up.

What are the most beneficial and harmful postures during sleep?

Sleep scientists have long observed how posture during sleep affects how a person feels while awake. Here's what they found out:

1. One of the best sleeping positions – on the back

This is the position where the head, neck and spine are most comfortable, as they remain in a neutral position and are not subjected to undue pressure. Dr. Michael Breus, an expert in sleep medicine, recommends this position during the night's rest. In addition to the neutral position of the body, this position avoids the morning bruising that occurs if a person sleeps with his cheek resting on a pillow. However, this position is not suitable for a snorer or sleep apnea patient.

Sleeping on your back is best if you are not pregnant, have sleep apnea, or are prone to snoring.

2. Second position during sleep – on the side

Sleep apnea, snoring, pregnancy, neck and back pain – in such cases, doctors recommend joining sleep on your side. Which one?

The fact is that when lying on the right side, heartburn can increase, and sleeping on the left side can load the liver, lungs and stomach. At the same time, sleeping on the left side relieves acid reflux, and this position is recommended for pregnant women to optimize blood flow.

Read also: 6 top benefits of sleeping on your left side

3. On the stomach – perhaps the worst sleeping position

Many people choose to sleep on their stomach, but the problem is that this position does not support the natural curves of the spine. This can lead to excessive stress on the vertebral structures. In addition, pain, numbness and tingling can be felt in the joints and muscles due to the unnatural position of the spine. Blood circulation and normal breathing during sleep on the stomach is also disturbed. Sleeping in this position is especially contraindicated for those suffering from pain in the neck or back.

Consequences of sleeping on your stomach – joint and muscle pain, respiratory and blood circulation disorders.

Read also: Sleeping on the right side have positive dreams, on the side – erotic

4. What do experts say about the fetal position?

Sleeping on your side with your knees close to your chest has a calming effect, but this sleeping position can (and often does) cause neck and back pain as it puts strain on your back and joints. Experts believe that the shoulders and neck should be at the same level during sleep – so you can prevent the occurrence of pain in the joints and muscles.

Despite the above conclusions of experts, estet-portal.com believes that the most "correct" the posture during sleep for each individual person is exactly the one in which he is most comfortable. However, if you have serious health problems, it is still better to heed the advice of experts. Also, do not forget that an important component of quality sleep is a comfortable mattress, silence, optimal air temperature and lack of light.