Is there a ‘best’ sleeping position you should know about?

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.

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 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.

 

 

 

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.

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. 

- People with neck pain - this prevents misalignment of the spin, provided you use
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. 

- 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.

 

 

 

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

your back away from its natural shape.

 

 

  

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!