Know how your sleeping position affects your health

One of the most essential ingredient for a person's health and wellbeing is getting enough sleep. Getting quality sleep is one of the most important things that your body requires to function properly but do you know that how you sleep is also important. Have you ever noticed the way how you sleep? Sleep specialists recommend sleeping on your side in order to rest more comfortably or bending the knees slightly upwards towards the chest area. Here is a list of the eight common sleeping positions and how they affect your health:

On your back with arms at sides:

This one is considered usually the best sleeping position because it’s good for your neck and spine health. But it has a downside as well, research shows that sleeping on your back may lead to snoring and difficulty breathing.

On your back with arms up/Starfish:

This sleeping position usually known as “starfish” is also good for your back. Sleeping on your back may help to prevent facial wrinkles and skin breakouts. But starfish sleepers are more likely to snore and have breathing problems. Another problem is that having your arms up for long can put pressure on your shoulder nerves causing strain

With your face down/sleeping on your stomach:

Sleeping on your stomach can improve digestion but constant tilting your face in one direction or the other causes possible neck pain. Another disadvantage of it is that it can also cause back pain, as the curve of the spine is not supported.

In a foetal position:

According to researchers, this one is considered one of the worst sleeping positions as it is bad for your back and neck.When you sleep in this curled position for long, deep breathing gets restricted.

On side with your arms down: 

When you’re sleeping on your side with both arms down, the spine is best supported in its natural curve. This position keeps the spine straight, which should be beneficial for those who suffer from back pain. But sleeping on the side can give rise to facial wrinkles and sagging breasts.

On side with arms out:

This one has the same effect as sleeping on your side with your arms straight down. Sleeping in this position can help relieve you of problems associated with acid reflux disease and sleep apnea. But it can also cause shoulder and arm pain due to restricted blood flow and pressure on the nerves.

On the Right side/Left side:

Sleeping on your right side can worsen heartburn while sleeping on the left side can put strain on internal organs like the liver, lungs, and stomach . For the women who are pregnant, sleeping on the left side is usually advised as this can improve circulation to the fetus.

Holding a pillow:

You can get a good night's sleep if you supplement your body with a pillow. Back sleepers can put a small pillow under the arch of their spine, side sleepers can place a pillow between their knees, and stomach sleepers can place a pillow under their hips to support the joints and allow for full, pain-free relaxation.

Compilation by: Ritu Singh