August 11, 2015
How Your Sleeping Positions Can Affect Your Health
Getting adequate sleep is a crucial part of your mood, mind, body, and overall health. Everyone spends one-third of their lives sleeping. It’s recommended that each adult should sleep at least 7-8 hours each night, and that is from the National Sleep Foundation. Unfortunately, 7-8 hours isn’t as easy as it may seem. We all have numerous things that may come up, such as getting up in the middle of the night or just not being able to fall asleep on time.
An Orthopedic spine surgeon named Dr. Hooman Melamed claims that the majority of the world’s back problems can come from the way a person's sleep is aggravating. It’s best to know the best and worse positions for sleep when it comes to your optimal health.
Back Position
This is the best position. Sleeping on your back will make it much easier on your spine, neck, and head in order to keep and align it within a natural position. There should be no extra curves or pressure being added to your back. When it comes to the best position, it is when your spine will stay within its natural alignment through the entire night.
Starfish Position
This position is also beneficial for your back. This position actually prevents skin breakouts and facial wrinkles. Dr. Decontee Jimmeh mentioned that sleeping while on your back could assist with acid reflux. When lying on the back, the head will be elevated, so the stomach will sit under the esophagus, which leads to less of a chance for digested substances to come back up. It is crucial to know that sleeping in the starfish position can cause snoring.
On Your Side
This position is the second best. Sleeping while on your side is crucial for individuals who suffer from sleep apnea, back and neck pain, who are pregnant, and prone to snoring. When you sleep on your side, it assists by opening up the oropharynx. It helps with back pain due to elongating the spine. Sleeping on your side, you can lower your chances of wrinkles, saggy breasts, and even skin aging.
Right or Left Side
Depending on which side you typically are sleeping on, it can play a significant part in your health. When you sleep on your right side, it can make heartburn worse. While you’re sleeping on your left side, it can put stress on your internal organs, such as the stomach, lungs, and liver. However, sleeping on the left side can actually reduce acid reflux. Women who are pregnant are suggested to sleep on the left side to receive the best blood flow.
The Stomach Position – The Worst
Sleeping on the stomach, it is never suggested because it won’t support your natural curve to the spine, which can lead to excessive aching. This sleeping position can place pressure on muscle and joints that can cause tingling, numbness, and pain.
Sleeping on the stomach could improve snoring as it will help the upper airways be more open. Having your head to just one side could lead to aching. This position is best to be avoided for those with back or neck pain.
On Your Side With Knees Drawn Up – Second Worst
Sleeping on your side can seem comfortable in the beginning. However, it can cause back and neck pain, saggy breasts, and wrinkles. Sleeping in this position can lead to stress on your joint and back, and when the chin and knees are tucked into your chest. The neck and shoulder need to be aligned while you are sleeping. Choosing a soft mattress is important, but not too soft where it won’t offer support to your neck.
How do you sleep? After reading this, have you considered a new position?
Source: Medical Daily
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Back Position
This is the best position. Sleeping on your back will make it much easier on your spine, neck, and head in order to keep and align it within a natural position. There should be no extra curves or pressure being added to your back. When it comes to the best position, it is when your spine will stay within its natural alignment through the entire night.
Starfish Position
This position is also beneficial for your back. This position actually prevents skin breakouts and facial wrinkles. Dr. Decontee Jimmeh mentioned that sleeping while on your back could assist with acid reflux. When lying on the back, the head will be elevated, so the stomach will sit under the esophagus, which leads to less of a chance for digested substances to come back up. It is crucial to know that sleeping in the starfish position can cause snoring.
On Your Side
This position is the second best. Sleeping while on your side is crucial for individuals who suffer from sleep apnea, back and neck pain, who are pregnant, and prone to snoring. When you sleep on your side, it assists by opening up the oropharynx. It helps with back pain due to elongating the spine. Sleeping on your side, you can lower your chances of wrinkles, saggy breasts, and even skin aging.
Right or Left Side
Depending on which side you typically are sleeping on, it can play a significant part in your health. When you sleep on your right side, it can make heartburn worse. While you’re sleeping on your left side, it can put stress on your internal organs, such as the stomach, lungs, and liver. However, sleeping on the left side can actually reduce acid reflux. Women who are pregnant are suggested to sleep on the left side to receive the best blood flow.
The Stomach Position – The Worst
Sleeping on the stomach, it is never suggested because it won’t support your natural curve to the spine, which can lead to excessive aching. This sleeping position can place pressure on muscle and joints that can cause tingling, numbness, and pain.
Sleeping on the stomach could improve snoring as it will help the upper airways be more open. Having your head to just one side could lead to aching. This position is best to be avoided for those with back or neck pain.
On Your Side With Knees Drawn Up – Second Worst
Sleeping on your side can seem comfortable in the beginning. However, it can cause back and neck pain, saggy breasts, and wrinkles. Sleeping in this position can lead to stress on your joint and back, and when the chin and knees are tucked into your chest. The neck and shoulder need to be aligned while you are sleeping. Choosing a soft mattress is important, but not too soft where it won’t offer support to your neck.
How do you sleep? After reading this, have you considered a new position?
Source: Medical Daily
Do you follow us on Instagram?
[caption id="attachment_103752" align="alignnone" width="100"]
@BodyRockTV[/caption]