Most of us sleep in the same position night after night, whether you wake up early or late. We won’t change it unless we’re uncomfortable. However, you may want to change sleeping positions to solve underlying issues that may be contributing to health problems. Here are four ways different sleeping positions affect your body.
The Impact of Age on Sleeping Position
Side sleeping is more common as we age. While children may sleep on their back or stomach, they tend to start sleeping on their side by young adulthood. The odds are even greater in middle age, while the odds you will sleep on your left side increase. The theory is that this aids circulation or heart function.
As we grow older, we’re less likely to shift from that position. That means older adults are much more likely to sleep on their side, though their sleep position has a far greater impact on their comfort. This is why you probably need to get a better mattress.
Some mattresses are better for certain types of sleep positions. If you sleep on your side, you need a mattress that keeps your spine straight. You can try this if you’re a side sleeper to find the right type of mattress for you. However, it probably means that the thin futon mattress you had in college is no longer good enough.
The Role of Pregnancy
Pregnant women are advised not to sleep on their backs. They may have to sleep on their side simply to avoid back pain or feeling short of breath due to the child’s weight. Doctors advise sleeping on the left side to maximize blood flow to the placenta.
Ironically, women may end up sleeping in the same fetal position as their child. They’ll also stay asleep longer because sleeping on their side reduces issues like heartburn and back pain. If you sleep on your back, you can do so through the first trimester, but it will become uncomfortable after that.
The Potential Personality Link
There is tentative research linking sleep positions and personality, though this is more entertaining than evidence. Sleeping on your back is somewhat associated with self-confidence. Sleeping on your stomach is correlated with defensiveness. Side sleeping is somewhat related to the personality traits of open-mindedness.
If you sleep on your right side, you’re more likely to smoke and rely on caffeine to wake up. If you sleep on your left side, you’re more likely to be well-educated and/or creative. Sleeping in a fetal position is linked to anxiety, a desire for comfort and sensitivity. Research suggests fetal position sleepers tend to be high on conscientiousness.
Your sleeping position can even affect your dreams. Strangely, sleeping on your right side seems to reduce your odds of having nightmares, while back sleeping increases the odds of them.
The Relationship between Sleep Position and Health Problems
If you have stiffness and pain due to arthritis, sleeping on your back is generally more comfortable. The only exception is if you have back pain. Sleeping on your back distributes your body weight naturally, and you’re not likely to shift position. Back sleeping reduces acid reflux, too. On the other hand, you shouldn’t sleep on your back if you have sleep apnea.
Side sleeping is the most popular sleep position. This is a good choice if you snore. It may help if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. Sleeping in the fetal position shares these advantages, though it can restrict your breathing if you curl up too tight. You can use a body pillow to prevent this.
Stomach sleeping can reduce sleep apnea and snoring. Unfortunately, this position is hard on your neck and back, especially if you are trying to use a pillow that’s too thick.
Sleep position may impact your quality of sleep. It is obvious when your sleep position worsens back pain, but it could exacerbate other conditions you didn’t know were made worse by how you tuck in at night.