Best Ways To Sleep To Minimize Aches And Pains

By Luka E

Many of us struggle with chronic pain in our day-to-day life. There are many aspects of our modern lifestyle which contribute to this, such as sitting for too long or looking down at phone screens. One such aspect which we tend to ignore is our sleeping position.

If you’re finding that you still feel stiff and sore in the mornings, then read on to learn about the best sleeping positions for you.

Side Sleeping Advice

This is the position that the majority of people sleep in. While many seem to do it without pain, it is not the ideal way to sleep, as it can cause hip and shoulder pain. 

Image courtesy of Kinga Cichewics | Unsplash

There are a few ways you can improve your situation if you must sleep on your side. First off, you should use a pillow that’s big enough to support your head, taking pressure off your shoulders. Try putting a pillow between your knees to sleep to take pressure off your lower back.

Besides physical aches, sleeping on your right side also seems to increase heartburn. If you experience heartburn while sleeping, try sleeping on your left side.

Stomach Sleeping

Sleeping like this puts pressure on the whole body, increasing the risk of numbness and tingling. When you turn your head to the side to breathe, this puts further strain on the neck and spine. Doctors recommend that you use a flat pillow to reduce stress on the neck if you must sleep in this position. 

The Best Sleeping Position

Image courtesy of Annie Spratt | Unsplash

While only around 8% of people naturally sleep on their backs, this is definitely the best position to sleep in. It allows the body to lie in a neutral position, increasing relaxation and reducing tension.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have an idea of your options for improving your sleep posture. Sleeping correctly can really make all the difference in our day – after all, we spend almost a third of our lives sleeping!