Many people don’t realize that the position you sleep in can greatly impact your day-to-day health. You may have a favorite go-to position, however, that position may not be the one that benefits your body the most.
Here at Wholesale Mattress Center, we provide a personalized experience to ensure that you find the ideal mattress that will help you achieve the perfect sleep. As experienced professionals in the mattress industry we want to ensure that you receive the best lasting mattress. Here are a few health factors and concerns along with the sleeping positions that will best help resolve them:
Back and Neck Pain
Neck and back pain is a common issue among most people, and when that pain is bad it can be hard to get a good night's sleep. The key to finding a sleep position that can help alleviate neck and back pain is good sleep posture through alignment. The best sleeping position for lower back pain is laying on your back and placing a pillow underneath the knees to keep the body's natural alignment. Sleeping in the fetal position may also help people with back pain, including those with herniated disks.
For those with neck pain, the most important thing to consider is a supportive neck pillow. Sleeping on your back or side is suggested as the ideal position for neck pain, while the stomach is an area to avoid. Sleeping on your stomach allows you to twist your neck side to side which has the potential to cause an increase in neck pain.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
For those suffering from snoring or sleep apnea it is best to avoid sleeping directly on your back. This position is not ideal because it causes the soft palate to drop back toward your throat, which then blocks airways and can make breathing difficult. Sleeping on your side is considered the best position for those who snore or have sleep apnea. When sleeping on your sides, the airways are less likely to be restricted. This helps with the loud snoring or difficulty breathing that you may notice more when you sleep on your back.
Reflux and Heartburn
Acid Reflux is known as the backflow of stomach acid through the esophagus. Symptoms of this include heartburn, which commonly worsen at night. While laying down, the lack of gravity no longer helps keep the problem stomach acid down. Multiple studies have shown that sleeping with your left side down can decrease reflux episodes and minimize the exposure of your stomach to your esophagus. Other positions, such as sleeping on your back, can actually make your reflux episodes more likely. If you are an avid back sleeper, consider propping your head up on a supportive pillow or use an adjustable bed frame to help keep your throat elevated above your stomach.
Appearance
Believe it or not, the position you sleep in could impact your appearance. The reason it is actually called “beauty sleep” is because your skin goes into repair mode during the night. Although it may seem insignificant, years and years of sleeping a certain way could accelerate aging on your face. Sleeping on your side and stomach results in your face being pushed into your pillow, which could cause a number of issues with appearance. Cyclical swelling, frown lines, puffiness, and transfer of bacteria are all possibilities from extended time sleeping on your side or stomach. The back is the best recommended sleeping position for those who want to avoid premature ageing.
Evaluating your sleep pattern and the position that you choose had the potential to result in an ever sweeter slumber. Here at Wholesale Mattress Center, you will find a wide variety of mattresses that aim to target specific sleeping concerns and needs. Contact us today so that we can pair you with your perfect mattress that will help you achieve perfect sleep!
