Sleeping Positions Gone Wrong

Are you struggling to get a full night’s sleep? Then you may want to think long and hard about how exactly you’re falling asleep on your mattress and what positions you’re slumbering in throughout the night. There are a number of popular sleeping positions that most people utilize every night, but not all of them are created equal! These positions are split up between Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers and Stomach Sleepers.

Back Sleepers

First up, the back sleepers! Commonly affiliated with louder snoring than its other sleeping position counterparts, back sleeping positions are the best you can use for the overall health of your body. If you can endure the loud rumbles of snoring (your own or your partner’s), sleeping on your back means better support for your back and spine, fewer skin breakouts, and fewer facial wrinkles. All around, sleeping on your back is your best bet! The starfish position (just imagine what that looks like) is the most common back sleeping position that partners complain about, and we suggest a quick nudge to make your partner pull their limbs closer to their torso to give you enough room to snooze. Similarly, a stronger nudge (or kick or punch) will force your snoring sleepmate to roll onto his or her side so you can get some peaceful and quiet shuteye.

Side Sleepers

Next up, the side sleepers are the runner up when it comes to the best sleeping positions. While sleeping on your side will mean less snoring than your back-snoozing partners, it is not as beneficial for spine support. Sleeping on your side can put an uncomfortable strain on certain internal organs, so if you’re sleeping in this position, try to alternate sides to alleviate pressure and the dreaded “rubber arm”—you know, that awful feeling of cutting off the blood flow to your arm and waking up with a limp noodle attached to your shoulder. One popular position is the fetal position, which may seem comfortable but can result in morning discomfort. Try snuggling up in a looser fetal positions with a bunch of pillows supporting your legs and back. Just be sure not to hijack too many pillows from your partner.

Stomach Sleepers

Last and certainly least, we have the stomach sleeping position! Among doctors and researchers, sleeping on your stomach is the least beneficial position to be in at night. The only significant benefits are the reduction of both snoring and sleep apnea. Some stomach sleepers tend to bury their faces in their pillows, which simply cannot be good for your breathing. This can also lend itself to neck pain.

Whichever position you sleep in, know the pros and cons! While it can take time to adjust to a new sleeping position, try to work your way into becoming a back sleeper. It’s the most beneficial, even at the risk of waking everyone up with snoring. But hey, at least you’ll be getting a great night’s sleep!