(Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock.com)
All animals, including humans, need to sleep. It is essential to living a full and healthy life. People sleep in all sorts of positions, on their stomach, back, and sometimes even sitting or standing up. But which position will lead to the best and most restful night’s sleep? This article will answer that all-important question.
Side Sleeping is Best
According to The Sleep Foundation, sleeping on your side is preferred by 60 percent of adults. This reduces the risk of snoring, back pain, and heartburn making it one of the healthiest positions to sleep in.
There are benefits to sleeping in other positions-such as on your back or front, but these also have disadvantages, according to MedicalNewsToday. For instance, sleeping on your back can take pressure off of your hips and shoulders, and can keep you from grinding your teeth while you are asleep, but on the other hand, it greatly exacerbates acid reflux and can make sinus conditions worse. It is especially not recommended that people who snore sleep on their back.
Sleeping on your stomach is considered the worst position to sleep in because it can lead to back pain and keeping your head to the side can cause neck strain. It is also not recommended to keep your hands or arms under a pillow as it can lead to nerve damage.
Right or Left?
If you are sleeping on your side, the question remains; which side is the best side to sleep on, left or right? Well, it depends.
According to verywell health, people who are pregnant or suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may find it more comfortable to sleep on their left side. For pregnant people this is because sleeping in this position helps the heart to more easily pump blood to the fetus.
For people with GERD, sleeping on your left side puts your stomach and esophagus in the best position to reduce the acid reflux and heartburn that wakes them up at night.
There are also advantages to sleeping on your right side. In fact it could lead to decreased nervous system activity which could lessen anxiety and depression. It could also lower your blood pressure and heart rate so it is beneficial to people with cardiovascular disease.
Whichever position you sleep in, the most important thing is getting enough sleep. Set a sleep schedule, keep electronics and devices out of the bed, make your bedroom a warm and comfortable space, and get some zzz’s.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
How to Optimize Your Sleep Cycles
Creating a Space Aligned with Your Circadian Rhythm
How to Find the Best Sleeping Position, According to Science
