Community Counts > Blog > The 3 Different Sleeping Positions And Their Health Effect
Ever wondered how different sleeping positions affect your health? What are the different positions to sleep in? Or, how to sleep in each position properly?
Well, wonder no more!
In this article, we’ll break it all down for you.
From what the 3 main positions are to the good, the bad and the ugly of each to tips on resting in each one properly.
Let’s begin!
Prone means to sleep on your front in medical terms.
According to Sleep.org, this position is not the most popular. Only about 7% of the US population tends to rest on their stomach.
I’m not sure why – it’s actually one of my favorite positions, though I try NOT to sleep like this when I’m conscious and awake. More on why below!
In the medical community, unless under doctor’s orders, the prone position is not something that healthcare professionals advocate.
Why?
Because it causes more damage to the body than its worth! Especially, if you’re sleeping in that posture for 8+ hours each night.
So, let’s talk about the good, the bad and the ugly.
If you’re a stomach-sleeper and find it hard to sleep in any of the other positions, at least follow some of these safety tips:
Lateral Decubitus is the medical term for sleeping on your side.
According to Sleep.org, this is the most popular and comfortable position to sleep in as 41% of Americans choose to rest on their side.
Now, there is a difference between sleeping on your right and on your left. I bet this is a new knowledge for some of you!
The difference between sleeping on your right or left is negligible if you’re a healthy, fit person.
However, if you regularly experience heartburn or have digestive issues, it may make all the difference.
Most professionals support sleeping on the left side over the right.
Why?
Because of human anatomy – our stomach, spleen, pancreas, and heart are on the left side.
So if you sleep on the left, you won’t be fighting gravity to keep your stomach acid from traveling up your esophagus or make it harder for your heart to pump blood through your veins.
Makes sense, right?
Let’s see how this position is good, bad and ugly for you.
Believe it or not, your spine can still be misaligned when sleeping on your side, so here are some tips to follow:
This means to sleep on your back.
Most healthcare professionals will advise people to sleep in this position as it keeps the head, neck, and spine in neutral alignment the best. And, there’s less of a chance to develop any pain the next morning.
Of course, if you have any special conditions, listen to your doctor and body accordingly.
Let’s jump right into the good, the bad and the ugly.
Although it’s hard to mess this one up, there are a few tips to get the best out of sleep in the supine position:
There you go!
Hope you learned something new in this article that can help you get a better night’s rest!
Tell us: What position do you usually sleep in? After this article, what changes will you make to your sleeping arrangements?