The ideal sleeping position can vary depending on individual needs and health conditions, say the experts. We all have our go-to sleeping position – whether it’s curled up on our side, stretched out on our back, or face-down in a deep slumber. But beyond comfort, does the way we sleep affect our health? While most adults know they should aim for seven to nine hours of rest each night, the position we sleep in may be just as important as the duration. From easing back pain to reducing snoring, sleep posture may play a bigger role in our well-being than we think. Different sleeping positions generate different surface contact, putting pressure on various joints,” explains Dr Hana Patel, NHS GP and resident sleep expert at Time4Sleep. “The three basic sleep positions – supine (lying on your back), side, and prone (lying on your front) – require different types of support when it comes to your mattress. “Unsupported sleeping positions, like sleeping on your stomach, can place stress on the spine and lead to back pain. If you have breathing issues like sleep apnea, then your symptoms may be worse when lying on your back because gravity can cause the tongue and soft palate to fall back and narrow the airway,” says Patel. “Try sleeping on your side to combat this. Several studies show that sleeping on the right side is associated with improved sleep quality, like fewer awakenings in the middle of the night. Another study has found that sleeping on your left side is associated with less acidity and reflux symptoms.” What you do in the evening before you go to bed can improve the quality of your sleep, especially if you have back pain. “If you’re sedentary, move more in the crucial ‘two-hour’ window before bedtime,” advises Fatima. “Go for a walk, make a drink, perform some light stretches, such as some simple hip flexor and hamstring stretches.” For optimal spine alignment and to help alleviate pain, simply placing a pillow between the knees can significantly help when sleeping on the side; it can also be used to make sure your neck is aligned properly if you have thinner pillows
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Thursday, June 26, 2025