What Sleep Position is Best?

So what sleep position is best for you? The healthiest sleeping position for you can be beneficial to your overall health. Sleep is very important if you want to function properly on a daily. Having enough sleep will allow you to recharge and be ready for tomorrow. Having a healthy sleeping position will help you to feel revitalized so that you can be energetic every day.

What is the healthiest way to sleep? Everyone has a different preferred sleeping position. It helps you to feel relaxed and comfortable.

However, not all sleeping positions will be good for you. It can do more harm to your health if you don’t have the right sleeping position for your condition. Keep on reading to learn more about what best sleeping position is best for you.

What Is the Best Sleep Position?

Sleeping positions are an important part of your sleeping habits. It helps you to have a good night’s sleep so that you can be ready for anything when you wake up.

Your sleeping position can affect the quality of your sleep. It can also be the reason why you feel tired even after sleeping. That’s why you need to find out the best sleep position for you.

The best sleep position is the one that can help you get a better night’s sleep. People have different sleeping positions. The best sleeping position depends on what makes you more comfortable and relaxed.

However, sleeping positions can affect your health so it’s a good idea to learn more about the best sleeping position for you.

1. Fetal Sleeping Position

Sleeping in the fetal position has a lot of health benefits. That’s why it’s one of the most popular sleeping positions around. It’s good for people who suffer from lower back pain and even for pregnant women (1). The fetal sleeping position can also reduce or even eliminate snoring (1).

However, the fetal sleeping position also comes with some downsides. If your posture is not relatively loose, it can compromise and limit your breathing.

This sleeping position is not advisable if you suffer from stiffness and joint pain. Instead of having a comfortable and relaxing sleep, you may end up feeling sore.

2. Freefall Sleeping Position

This is a type of stomach sleeping position with the person’s front arms lifted and wrapped around the pillow. There’s only a small percentage of people who sleep in the freefall sleeping position. It’s not a common sleeping position. Not everyone feels comfortable sleeping on their stomach all night long.

Although it’s a comfortable sleeping position to some, it can cause some issues if you’re not careful. It can strain the lower back and can cause a stiff neck. These conditions are painful and can hinder your activities.

If you can’t help but to sleep in this position, use a pillow.

3. Yearner Sleeping Position

The yearner sleep position is the same as the side sleeping posture. Although the only difference is that the arms and legs are stretched out.

It’s a good sleeping position to avoid pressure on the wrists and hands. This can also reduce waking up with tingling or numb hands.

It’s a type of sleeping position where you can relax your body. This will help you avoid suffering from stiffness or soreness the next morning.

If you’re a side sleeper, you should also try the yearner sleeping position. It may help relieve soreness and stiffness when you wake up in the morning.

4. Soldier Sleeping Position

Soldier sleep position only means that you sleep on your back with your arms at your sides. It’s believed that sleeping in this position can be good for your health. The reason why is because it’s similar to the Savasana yoga pose. It helps to evenly spread the pressure across the spine, neck, and arms.

However, if you suffer from sleep apnea, the soldier’s sleeping position is not a good idea. Sleeping on your back can cause snoring and can also cause lower back pain.

If you tend to snore, it’s better to change your sleeping position. It’s best for people who can change their sleeping positions throughout the night.

5. Starfish Sleeping Position

The starfish position is another variation of the soldier’s sleeping position. But the difference is that the arms are above the head while the legs are slightly apart like a starfish.

It’s said to be beneficial for your spine and for maintaining good posture. Although you need to lay on your back which can cause snoring.

However, the starfish sleeping position can also cause pain if your arms are putting too much pressure on your shoulders. This can also cause numbness or tingling sensations on your arms and hands which can be very uncomfortable.

6. Log Sleeping Position

The log sleeping position will be less likely to cause your body numbness. It involves sleeping with the arms positioned downwards at your sides.

According to some reports, this sleeping position can be associated with sleepwalking (2). Although it’s not a popular position, some people feel more comfortable sleeping this way.

Sleeping like a log is beneficial for spinal health since this sleeping position supports proper posture. It will not put too much pressure on the back and neck as well. But the upper part of your legs don’t get the same support as your lower legs. This may cause you to suffer from hip pain.

Is It Better To Sleep On Your Back Or Side?

Sleeping on your side provides better health benefits and comfort. It allows your organs to function properly since it’s free from pressure.

Sleeping on your back is also associated with snoring and sleep apnea. That’s why it’s better to sleep on your left side so you can easily breathe and feel refreshed in the morning.

However, sleeping on your back also has some benefits. It can improve your posture and support your spine better.

As long as you have a good pillow to support your neck, sleeping on your back is not that bad. But sleeping on your side can help you breathe better.

Is Sleeping on Your Left Side Bad For Your Heart?

Sleeping on your left side is not bad for your heart (3). There’s no evidence that it can increase the risk of developing heart conditions. It may change the electrical activity of the heart but not at a dangerous rate. Therefore, your sleeping position will not cause heart disease

Which Sleeping Position is Not Good?

Sleeping on your stomach is not a good sleeping position. The main reason is that it can hinder your breathing as you sleep.

It also puts more pressure on your spinal joints and muscles. That can affect the natural curve of your spine. You have to turn your neck from this position, which can cause neck and back pain.

It’s best to try to avoid this sleeping position if possible. Although it can be hard if you have been a stomach sleeper for a long time. But you can start changing your sleeping position today to start getting a better night’s sleep. Sleeping on the left side is an alternative you can try.

Best Sleeping Position for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Best Sleeping Position for Snoring

Side sleeping is the best sleeping position to avoid snoring. Sleeping on your sides can reduce compression of the airways. It can help you breathe properly while you’re sleeping.

This will help avoid or reduce snoring because you will no longer have trouble breathing. It’s best to start practising as soon as possible.

Best Sleeping Position for Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea can make you feel tired even if you sleep the entire night and can hinder your productivity. Sleeping on your side is the best position to calm this condition. It’s highly recommended to sleep on your right side. This will help your blood flow and also reduce your snoring (4).

Best Sleeping Position for Breathing

Which side is best to sleep on, left or right? According to experts, it’s best to sleep on your left side since it can provide better health benefits. If you sleep in this position, your organs can better get rid of toxins. It happens as you sleep so it’s best to sleep on the left side.

Lying down on your left side can help your breathing as well. It’s best to have a pillow in between your legs and your head. Make sure that your back is straight. It will help relax your airways so that you can breathe easier.

Best Sleeping Position for Acid Reflux

There’s also a sleeping position for acid reflux avoidance (5). You need to lay down on your left side and make sure that you’re in an inclined position. This is proven to provide natural reflux relief and even avoid it from recurring. Sleeping on your left side will reduce the exposure of the oesophagus to stomach acid.

With that said, you should start sleeping on your left side if you haven’t already. It will make it almost impossible for you to get another reflux episode.

This condition affects many adults and can lead to serious damage to your oesophagus. It can also increase the risk of developing oesophagal cancer.

Best Sleeping Positions in Pregnancy?

Sleep on the side or also known as SOS is the best sleeping position during pregnancy. It will help you achieve the best blood circulation (6) for yourself and your baby.

This position will put the least pressure on your veins and organs allowing them to function properly. It will also help you to feel more comfortable with your baby bump.

If you sleep on your left side, it can increase the number of nutrients and blood that reach the placenta. It will help your baby to grow and develop better by just sleeping on your left side. If you’re not used to sleeping on that side, try to practice every night until you get used to it.

Is it OK to Sleep Without a Pillow?

Is it better to sleep without a pillow? It depends on your sleeping position. If you’re a back or side sleeper, it’s not advisable to sleep without a pillow.

It can do more harm to your body since you will not have support for your neck and spine. This can even cause you to feel sore and experience back pain.

But you can sleep without a pillow if you feel more comfortable without it. This can also reduce stress from your neck helping your body’s alignment.

Sleeping without a pillow is only applicable for stomach sleepers. Having a pillow can be harmful for this specific sleeping position. But if you don’t, better use a pillow to support your spine.

Sleeping Position Tips

1. Fetal Sleeping Position

Make sure to stretch out a bit so that you can breathe easily. Avoid curling or pulling your body too much.

2. Log Sleeping Position

It’s best to place a soft pillow between your knees to avoid pressure on your hips. A towel or a folded blanket will also do.

3. Freefall Sleeping Position

Use a soft pillow for your forehead and face the mattress instead of turning your head to the side. Avoid using a stiff pillow.

4. Soldier Position

Place a pillow under your knees to avoid issues in the morning. It will help to support your spine to avoid back pain.

5. Starfish Position

Make sure your mattress is firm and put a pillow under your knees. That will help you to avoid having back pain because of your sleeping position.

Final words

What is the best position to sleep in? It depends on your condition. Although sleeping on your side may sound good, people may have different needs. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it’s best to be a side sleeper. But if you don’t and want to feel more relaxed, you can be a back sleeper.

In general, the best position to sleep in should be on your left side. This can help avoid putting your organs under too much pressure. It can also promote better blood circulation. So, if you don’t have a medical condition, sleeping on your left side is highly recommended.