We spend a third of our life sleeping, and for many of us, the same amount of time
dealing with the repercussions of poor sleep. The aches and pains, the breathing problems, the exhaustion - so many of these issues can be addressed with the right sleeping position. But after so many studies, it’s still hard to know which one is the “best one”.
As we’ve discovered, it’s not actually that simple. In fact, depending on your
health, circumstances, and bedding accessories, any number of these sleep
positions could be your perfect match. So we jumped headfirst into the research
to find the best possible position for your body.
Is the ‘best sleep position’ a myth?
Well, yes and no! A 2016 Sleep Health journal article admitted that the ‘best’
sleeping position is the one you find most comfortable. But since our body repairs
& restores itself during sleep, the position we sleep in can still help - or hinder -
that process.
Ultimately, the best sleep position is the one that promotes healthy spinal
alignment from your hips all the way to your head. And this will look different for
everyone, depending on things like your natural spine curvature, pre-existing
health conditions, what you find comfortable, and the types of bedding
accessories & pillows you use.
Side sleeping
Side sleeping is commonly touted as the ‘best’ sleep position. True or not, it’s
certainly the most common, with more than 60% of people sleeping on their side.
Side sleeping promotes healthy spinal alignment and is considered the position
least likely to result in back pain. This is enhanced when you add the right
supportive pillow - like an organic latex pillow - that sustains your body’s natural
alignment during sleep.
Side sleeping is also thought to aid brain health, helping to distribute toxins
throughout the brain so your body can eliminate them more efficiently.
For a number of people, particularly the following people, side sleeping is the better option:
- Pregnant people - side sleeping helps relieve the pressure of an expanding belly,
while keeping blood flow smooth & consistent.
The left side in particular is recommended as it prevents pressure on the liver
and ensures good blood flow to the foetus and other vital organs.
- People with lower back pain - adding a pillow between the knees while sleeping on your side is a great way
to relieve any lower back tension and keep your spine in good shape.
- People who snore or have sleep apnea - sleeping on your side keeps the airways more open than
when sleeping on the back.
- People with acid reflux or heartburn - sleeping on your left side is considered to place your stomach
and esophagus in the best position to reduce gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and improve digestion.
The left or right debate
Believe it or not, there are studies that suggest benefits for sleeping on each side.
Sleeping on your left side, as mentioned above, is believed to help with conditions
like heartburn and GERD, as well as blood flow to an unborn foetus.
The right, on the other hand, has been shown to ease the symptoms of
depression & anxiety and even nightmares, although more research is required to
support this theory. There’s another theory that sleeping on your right side helps
decrease nervous system activity, which may lead to lowered blood pressure and
heart rate.
Elsewhere in the research community, they’ve found side sleeping to help alleviate
eye pressure in people with glaucoma. One study found that whichever eye is
down (i.e. the left eye if sleeping on your left side) experiences greater eye
pressure than the upper eye. Therefore, if you suffer glaucoma in one eye, you
should sleep with the affected eye up.
Back sleeping
Found to be the second most popular sleep position, sleeping on your back is a
great way to keep your spine in alignment, although having a contoured organic
all-natural latex pillow (flat on one side, contoured on the other) is advised to keep
your head and neck aligned to the natural curve of your spine.
Back sleeping helps evenly distribute body weight, which can prevent waking up
with potential aches through the neck or back. It’s also considered a good
alternative if side sleeping is not an option - for example, if you suffer shoulder
pain.
For these reasons, back sleeping is considered ‘best’ for:
- People with neck pain - this prevents misalignment of the spin, provided you use
the right pillow support and keep arms by your side.
the right pillow support and keep arms by your side.
- People with nasal congestion or allergies - back sleeping avoids the collapse
of your spine and keeps your airways open to help drain your nose. However,
avoid lying flat on your back as it can have the opposite effect - your pillow should
prop your head more upright to alleviate congestion. At the same time, an organic
latex pillow is ideal for allergy sufferers, as organic latex is hypoallergenic,
hygienic and antibacterial, while being resistant to dust mite, mould and mildew,
minus the harsh chemicals.
- People with lower back pain - a second option for people experiencing lumbar
spinal pain, with many alternating between back and side sleeping. With natural
pillows that support your head - plus the option of a pillow beneath the knees,
back sleeping can help alleviate pain and stiffness, while still supporting your
spine’s natural shape.
of your spine and keeps your airways open to help drain your nose. However,
avoid lying flat on your back as it can have the opposite effect - your pillow should
prop your head more upright to alleviate congestion. At the same time, an organic
latex pillow is ideal for allergy sufferers, as organic latex is hypoallergenic,
hygienic and antibacterial, while being resistant to dust mite, mould and mildew,
minus the harsh chemicals.
- People with lower back pain - a second option for people experiencing lumbar
spinal pain, with many alternating between back and side sleeping. With natural
pillows that support your head - plus the option of a pillow beneath the knees,
back sleeping can help alleviate pain and stiffness, while still supporting your
spine’s natural shape.
- People concerned about wrinkles - if it’s aging you’re concerned about,
back sleeping has the beauty industry’s kiss of approval.
While sleeping on your side compresses the skin and contributes to wrinkles,
sleeping on your back ensures your skin is rested and smooth.
Stomach sleeping
The least popular of the sleeping positions, stomach sleeping is not recommended for most people.
It provides the least back support of all sleeping positions,
and increases pressure on the spine as you’ll need to have your head facing
one side, which then twists your neck and head out of alignment.
But if stomach sleeping is the position you find best for you, there are ways to make it more accommodating:
- Use a very thin pillow, or no pillow at all, so you can avoid tilting your neck back
and up, causing added spinal misalignment and potential pain.
- Pop a thin pillow under your hips to further even out the spine and relieve any pressure.
- Stick to a firm mattress to ensure your hips and belly don’t sink down and arch
- Pop a thin pillow under your hips to further even out the spine and relieve any pressure.
- Stick to a firm mattress to ensure your hips and belly don’t sink down and arch
your back away from its natural shape.
So is there a ‘better’ sleep position?
When it comes down to it, if you’re waking up pain-free, well-rested, and relaxed,
then why would you want to change that? Your sleep position is, however,
something that you can change over time, depending on your health conditions
and circumstances - and it’s definitely possible to train your body into a new
position if it means greater wellbeing.
With all that said, bedding accessories and a good quality mattress are imperative
to a good night’s sleep. With a healthy organic mattress that is firm enough to
support your spine, as well as a non-toxic pillow that aids spinal alignment from
hips to head, any position you sleep in is bound to feel infinitely better.
And really, that’s what we’re looking for, right? The best sleep position - and the
best support to make it happen.
Now go forth, and enjoy the best sleep for your body!