The wrong sleeping posture may be responsible for some of the most severe chronic conditions, such as heartburn and back pain. Although we all know how important it is to have a good night’s sleep, it’s not just about how easy it feels. It’s meant to be all of what is best for the body. Sleeping is taking over, or at least it should be a large part of our lives, and this is why our sleeping habits should be reconsidered.
1. It causes heartburn.
For anyone experiencing it, lying flat, on your right, or straight on your back can cause a problem called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or exacerbate this problem. As acid and the contents of the stomach rise into the oesophagus, this occurs. Because of the gravity in these positions, the valve that prevents acid from returning from the stomach region does not contain the reflux and the contents of the stomach are carried to the bottom of the oesophagus, causing heartburn, distress, the taste of acid in the mouth, poor breath, and sometimes even chest pain.
It’s better to:
Sleep on your left hand, and at the top of your body, add an incline. This has been shown to help individuals suffering episodes of GERD experience relief by relieving heartburn. The stomach is in the correct location in this sleeping position, which forces the food to remain in the stomach and not spill into the upper region of the stomach and out of the valve of the oesophagus.
2. It is bad for your spine and back.
According to doctors, this sleeping posture is connected to chronic back pain. In this pose, the strain exerted on your back and spine during the night is intense because most of your weight is kept in certain parts of the body. The spine is not set in a normal position and this is why when you shift positions, you can sometimes feel numb or need to stretch.
It’s better to:
If you can not fall asleep in any other position, then this sleeping position can be changed in a way that naturally supports your spine curve. Try to put under your body 2 pillows, one under your pelvis and one under your back. However, doing the same thing while lying on your back or turning on your side with a pillow under your head and one between your legs is the safest sleeping position to alleviate back pain.
3. It can cause chronic neck problems.
If you do not turn your neck to the left, it is hard to breathe properly when lying on your back. Since your head and spine are out of alignment and your neck is forced to twist, this sleeping position can lead to the development of chronic neck problems, such as herniated discs. The spinal cord’s sequence of bones is covered by discs. The gelatinous portions of those discs may be weakened by a persistent poor sleeping position and contribute to chronic pain.
It’s better to:
For your whole body, sleeping on your back is the most comfortable position. This role is recommended by physicians to individuals who suffer chronic spinal pain from arthritis. It’s safer to sleep with a foam pillow under your neck with a tiny incline. To completely relieve your neck from the weight and discomfort, you can also try a pillow under each arm.
4. It can put extra pressure on the baby.
You need to be extra careful about your sleeping patterns if you are about to become a mom, not just for your baby, but for your own health and comfort as well. The number one place to stop is lying on your back because the extra weight in the centre of your body puts so much pressure on your spine. More than that, as it is squeezed between the bed and your spine, this position does not allow your baby the freedom it needs to move freely.
It’s better to:
Doctors advise all pregnant women to try to sleep on their left side, as this position increases blood flow and provides both mother and baby with the highest levels of oxygen.
5. It can cause facial wrinkles.
When lying on your back or on your side, lying with one side of your face on the pillow is inevitable. Studies have shown that this is the worst thing you can do to your face because, over time, the pressure applied to either side of your facial skin can cause facial wrinkles.
It’s better to:
In order to prevent wrinkles, lying on your back is the safest option. Your face is not pushed on the pillow, the pores of your skin are capable of breathing, and in this way, the pressure is prevented.
6. It adds unnecessary pressure on your bre-asts and can cause problems.
As a woman, knowing which role it’s best to avoid for safe bre-asts is very important. Experts claim that you place undue pressure on your chest with the proponent stance, which in some situations may cause discomfort. Sleeping on your side, on the other hand, will cause sagging bre-asts over time, because gravity forces them downward naturally.
It’s better to:
On your back, try to sleep. Without applying any additional strain on your stomach, this will also help you keep your bre-asts relaxed.
Illustrated by Daniil Shubin
