Do you prefer sleeping on your side, back or belly? There may be the desired sleeping position, but you might change it now and then. When you get pregnant or have medical conditions, your sleeping habits may shift. If that happens, making sure you get the correct posture for your sleep will significantly impact how you feel upon waking up. Are you utilising the most appropriate position to sleep in your particular situation?
Incorrectly sleeping can result in or worsen neck and back discomfort. It can also block breathing passages to your lungs which can cause problems such as sleep apnea with obstruction. There are multiple side effects of sleep apnea. Research suggests that an improper position for sleeping could result in toxins being filtered out from your brain at a slower rate. Read on to find out how your sleep habits may affect your health in many ways.
Do You Sleep on Your Stomach?
Around 7% of all people sleep on their stomachs. This is often referred to as the lying position. It can help reduce the snoring process by removing tissues that block your airway. However, sleeping in this position can cause aggravation of various medical issues.
Your spine and neck aren’t neutral while you lie in a stomach position. This could cause neck or back discomfort. Sleeping on the stomach can place pressure on nerves that can cause numbness, tingling, and pain. It’s recommended to change your sleeping position if you’re a stomach sleeper. If you’re unable to change the habit, put your forehead on the pillow to ensure that your spine and head remain in a neutral posture and you can breathe comfortably.
The Freefall Position
A little more than 7% of people rest on their stomachs and with their heads turned towards the side. Sleepers who do this are usually wrapped in pillows or into a pillow.
Do You Sleep on Your Back?
Sleeping on the back has its benefits and drawbacks, too. The sleep experts describe it as the supine posture.
Let’s begin with the negative news. Certain people who lie on their backs can be suffering from lower back discomfort. It may also cause back pain to get worse, which is why it isn’t the ideal sleeping position for those suffering from intense back discomfort. If you have a history of sleep apnea or snoring, sleeping on your back can cause further aggravation of these conditions. Women should stay away from this position when they are pregnant.
There are many health benefits of lying on the back as well. Your neck, head, and spine are all neutral, which means you’re less likely to suffer from neck discomfort. If you sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated and the use of a small pillow is thought to be the most comfortable sleeping position for people suffering from heartburn.
The Soldier Position
In this posture, sleeping people lie on their backs with their arms lowered and close to their bodies. Around 8% of people doze like this. This is not an excellent option to stop snoring. It could hinder you from an uninterrupted night’s rest. Speak to your doctor if snoring prevents you from sleeping enough.
Sleepers in a stern position lie on their backs and with their arms atop their heads. Around 5% of the population is sleeping this way. For all who rest in a back position, individuals sleeping in the position of a starfish could be susceptible to sleep issues and snoring.
Do You Like To Sleep On Your Back?
The position of sleeping on your side is the most well-known by far. It’s also referred to as the lateral sleeping position by sleep researchers.
This posture could be beneficial for those who are prone to snoring. If you suffer from certain types of arthritis, sleeping on your side can cause pain. It can also stop you from breathing deeply, reducing the diaphragm. Sleeping on your back can also:
Side-Sleeping and Brain Waste
There is a chance that sleeping on the back could benefit your brain. Researchers have discovered that our brains flush out the toxins faster when asleep. There are multiple benefits to sleeping on your side.
The way your sleep position affects the elimination of waste is not clear. However, one study by rats shows that sleeping sideways can eliminate brain waste more effectively than other places.
Wrinkle Worries
Side-sleepers have numerous advantages. However, a drawback can appear when you get older because you put pressure on your face while in the forward position. This position could result in the appearance of facial wrinkles and cause the skin of your face to stretch over time.
Sagging Breasts
Sleeping side-to-side, women might notice they have a bra ligament (that slowly expands over time, leading to the breasts sagging. It’s not been scientifically proven; however, it is an issue for many. If this is a concern for you, then the best solution is to put your breasts in a supportive position using the help of a pillow. Women with bigger breasts might feel more comfortable sleeping with a bra to provide extra support.
Some Other Sleep Position
Around 41% of people sleep in a particular side position by curling up on their backs while their legs are bent. Sleepers who are side-sleeping in a bent position with legs curled towards their torsos are lying down.
Some studies suggest that women are more likely than men to doze in this position, but other research contradicts this. It might be a good option for pregnant women because this position improves circulation for both the mother and the fetus. If you are unable to sleep this way and it can hurt your hips, placing pillows between your knees could relieve the pressure.
Sleepers In the log position rest on their sides, with their arms tucked in next to their bodies. About 15 percent of people are sleeping like in a log. This type of sleeping posture could benefit you if you are a snorer. However, in the event of arthritis, you could be woken up with discomfort.
Sleepers in the yearner position rest on their backs with their arms extended to the side of their body. This is an excellent position if you suffer from breathing issues while you sleep; however, it is not recommended to have arthritis. Around 13% of people rest with this posture.
Spooning is a sleeping side posture for couples. Also, the various couples sleeping positions meanings are different. The person in the back can hold the person in front close to their body. Like other positions, it has distinct advantages and disadvantages. For the negatives, couples could be more likely to wake up frequently in this manner since you’re more likely to be pushed around with your spouse.
However, spooning can be used to cuddle, which triggers the release of Oxytocin. This hormone increases bonding, reduces stress, and can aid in getting you to sleep faster. As little as 10 minutes is enough time to cause the release of the hormone oxytocin.
Can Sleeping Posture Predict Your Personality?
This is contingent on your definition of “personality.” In the 70s and 80s, some researchers suggested using sleeping positions to tell if someone was emotional, feminine, nervous, self-confident, or attracted.
Recent studies have challenged these theories. The study has been criticised for using “woefully small” numbers of sleepers. There are many contradictions within these studies, too. A new attempt to link characteristics of the persona with body positions when sleeping came up empty. The results showed a “fragile relationship between sleep positions and personality” and, when based on the predictions of earlier models, did not reliably identify the personality traits.