Which Sleep Position Is Best For Your Health? Which One Enhances Or Reduces Snoring?
Your sleeping pose can have a major impact on your slumber—as well
as your overall health. Poor posture could potentially cause back and neck
pain, fatigue, sleep apnea, muscle cramping, impaired circulation, headaches,
heartburn, tummy troubles, and even premature wrinkles. Sleeping postures also
contribute to severe and less snoring. Wondering which sleep spot is best?
Check out the rankings below, from best to worst.
1. On Your Back
Though it’s not the most popular position—only eight percent of
people sleep on their backs—it’s still the best. By far the healthiest option
for most people, sleeping on your back allows your head, neck, and spine to
rest in a neutral position. This means that there’s no extra pressure on those
areas, so you’re less likely to experience pain. Sleeping facing the ceiling
also ideal for warding off acid reflux. Just be sure to use a pillow that
elevates and supports your head enough—you want your stomach to be below your
esophagus to prevent food or acid from coming up your digestive tract. However,
snoozing on your back can cause the tongue to block the breathing tube, making
it a dangerous position for those who suffer from sleep apnea (a condition that
causes periods of breathlessness). This position can also make snoring more
severe.
2. On Your Side
This position (where your torso and legs are relatively straight)
also helps decrease acid reflux, and since your spine is elongated, it wards
off back and neck pain. Plus, you’re less likely to snore in this snooze
posture, because it keeps airways open. For that reason, it’s also the best
choice for those with sleep apnea. Fifteen percent of adult choose to sleep on
their side, but there’s one downside: It can lead to wrinkles, because half of
your face pushes against a pillow.
3. In the Fetal Position
With 41 percent of adults choosing this option, it’s the most
popular sleep position. A loose, fetal position (where you’re on your side and
your torso is hunched and your knees are bent)—especially on your left side—is
great if you’re pregnant. That’s because it improves circulation in your body
and in the fetus, and it prevents your uterus from pressing against your liver,
which is on your right side. This pose is also good for snorers. But resting in
a fetal position that’s curled up too tightly can restrict breathing in your
diaphragm. And it can leave you feeling a bit sore in the morning, particularly
if you have arthritis in your joints or back. Prevent these woes by
straightening out your body as much as you can, instead of tucking your chin
into your chest and pulling your knees up high. You can also reduce strain on
your hips by placing a pillow between your knees.
4. On Your Stomach
While this is good for easing snoring, it’s bad for practically
everything else. Seven percent of adults pick this pose, but it can lead to
back and neck pain, since it’s hard to keep your spine in a neutral position.
Plus, stomach sleepers put pressure on their muscles and joints, possibly
leading to numbness, tingling, aches, and irritated nerves. It’s best to try to
choose another position, but if you must sleep on your stomach, try lying face
down to keep upper airways open—instead of with your head turned to one
side—with your forehead propped up on a pillow to allow room to breathe.
Now go and sleep the right way, don't forget to share!
Comments
Post a Comment