Sleep is an important part of life. When you regularly get quality sleep, you will feel better physically and mentally. However, there are factors that can affect one’s sleep quality. And one of the lesser-known ones is your sleep position.
Is It Okay to Sleep on Your Stomach?
Sleeping on your stomach is not our favorite position. First, it can put a lot of pressure on your internal organs and spine and reduces space for your diaphragm to move into for good breathing. When you sleep on your stomach, your head is at an odd angle, which can strain your neck. Pillows are not generally designed for stomach sleepers, and are usually too large to create a proper angle for your neck.
What Can Happen When You Sleep on Your Stomach?
When you sleep on your stomach, you can develop muscle and back problems and can even lead to problems like arthritis and osteoporosis. You can also suffer from stomach problems like acid reflux and heartburn, which can cause a lot of discomfort.
Which Sleep Position Is Better?
Sleeping on your side is a much better position for your back and spine. If you have old injuries, especially in the hips and shoulders, sleeping on your side can be difficult as it can cause pain in those areas.
If this is not an issue for you, sleeping on your side can help improve the quality of your sleep. It is much recommended to sleep on your side because it reduces the pressure that’s on your body, and it also helps reduce your risk of sleep apnea.
Final Thoughts
In general, sleeping on your stomach isn’t our first choice. However, we know that side sleeping is not the answer for everyone. It is important to think about the materials you are sleeping on and the positions you find most comfortable. The most important thing is to find a position that leaves you feeling refreshed and healthy in the morning, not sore and achy.
If you are a chronic stomach sleeper, ensure you have a supportive mattress and seek out pillows made for that position, you will find that they are thinner than a normal pillow. You can also use body pillows and other positional pillows to help keep your body on an angle between side and stomach sleeping that can work for most people. If you need more help, you can always talk to your doctor, and they will give you the best possible advice.
Get a better night’s sleep with the help of Sleep Better Live Better. We are a sleep clinic in North Vancouver that has helped thousands of patients find healthy sleep solutions. Book a consultation today!
