According to Steven Park, MD, author of Sleep, Interrupted and clinical assistant professor of otolaryngology at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y., sleeping posture can affect an individual’s quality of sleep and overall health. Park explained that fatigue, sleep apnea, headaches, heartburn, and back pain are several of the most common complaints that can be aggravated as a result of improper sleep posture and a bad night’s rest.
But, when it comes to sleeping on your side, stomach, or
back, which is the best sleep position? Additionally, if the certain sleep
position one currently favors is not the best for their health, many individuals
frequently question whether switching to another position may offer better
health benefits for them. “You’re naturally going to gravitate toward a
position that you feel best sleeping in,” Steven Park stated. Also, individuals
will generally choose their preferred sleep posture based on how well they’re
able to breathe in that position. “The smaller the airway in your throat
becomes at night, the more likely it is you’re going to sleep on your stomach,”
Park added.
The Relation of Sleep Quality and Posture
Back sleeping is not recommended for individuals who snore
or for those with sleep apnea. Individuals with these complications should
preferably sleep on their side because it can help maintain their airways open.
Research suggest that sleeping on the left side can relieve heartburn symptoms
while right side sleeping can worsen them. Left side sleeping is also
recommended during pregnancy as it can improve circulation to the heart, which
is good for both mom and baby.
Steven Park advices that people may attempt to experiment
with different sleeping postures but he strongly suggested against switching
from the individual’s natural sleep position unless a previously diagnosed or
currently identified health condition demands it.
Studies show that 63 percent of Americans prefer to sleep on
their side where 16 percent of them favor sleeping on their stomach and only 14
percent of them sleep on their back. But from all types of sleeping postures,
which is the best for good quality sleep and your overall health? By following
a few simple tips, many individuals may be able to achieve the quality of sleep
they deserve.
When Fixing Sleep Posture...
Most importantly, listen to your body and follow its natural
sleep flow. You may have heard that sleeping on your back can prevent facial
wrinkles because nothing is pushing against your face, but it’s often best not
to change the way you sleep. Trying to change your natural sleep position can harm
the quality of your sleep, and as stated before, unless there’s a specific
health condition that requires the individual to follow a specific sleeping
posture, there’s no other reason why individual’s should be changing their
sleep positions. Also, the type of mattress you sleep on and its condition is
important towards achieving good quality rest. An old, worn-out mattress will
often sink in the middle, making side or stomach sleeping much more difficult. And
last, for people who sleep on their side, choosing the side they sleep on could
make a big difference on a good night’s rest. The majority of American’s are
side sleepers, but there’s still not enough evidence to show which side,
whether left or right, is the most popular. Most individuals choose a single
position they prefer the most, but it may often shift with age, generally due
to the development of health issues. Also, no one stays in a single position
all night, and doing so, is usually not good for your circulation.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
