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Are you a back, stomach or side sleeper? As it turns out, your sleep position can make a difference, particularly if you’ve often woken up with back pain or a stiff neck.
Sleeping on your Back
If you often sleep on your back, health experts say that you’re coming very close to enjoying a neutral posture. If you notice that your neck tends to flex forward as you sleep, you may find it worthwhile to purchase a contoured pillow to help maintain the proper position during slumber.
Also, if you have problems with heartburn, sleeping on your back may help to relieve those issues. Just make sure to elevate your head so that it is higher than your stomach. However, sleeping on your back can make it harder to breathe, so it’s not the best choice if you have problems with snoring or sleep apnea.
Side Sleeping
Unlike sleeping on your back, choosing to sleep on your side keeps the airway open, so it is preferable for people who have breathing problems. However, you must take care to keep your head and neck aligned with the rest of your body.
Start by using at least one pillow to keep your head level with your body. You may find it comfortable to place a pillow between your knees, as well.
Stomach Sleeper?
Unfortunately, even though stomach sleeping is comfortable for some people, it is also a position that could be responsible for several painful symptoms.
For example, it will force you to keep your head to one side for several hours at a time. This could result in discomfort the next morning. The stomach sleeping position also causes your neck to be hyper extended, which brings significant strain, too. If you sleep on your stomach often, try starting out in a different position to see if you can gently coax your body to adapt.
More info: SheKnows
