The position we sleep in is directly related to our quality of sleep. We adopt sleeping positions when we are children, so changing the way we sleep could be a long(ish) process but in the end, it could really benefit you.

Did you know that only 8% of Americans sleep on their back? If you’re a back sleeper, then you must know that you’re pretty special. Most people sleep either on their right or left side with about 7% of people sleeping on their stomachs.

So what is the best sleeping position? If you’re a stomach sleeper, it will benefit you to change your sleep position. Sleeping on your stomach may be the cause of neck and back pain as you’re sleeping in an unaligned position. It also places pressure on nerves and could be the culprit of that numbness or tingling you’ve been complaining about.

Sleeping on your back is one of the best positions, especially if you experience lower back pain, but it pays to know where to place your pillows. Let’s look at other benefits of back sleeping, then later we’ll tell you how to achieve a good night’s sleep and ease your back pain.  

6 BENEFITS OF SLEEPING ON YOUR BACK

   1.  ALIGN YOUR SPINE

You can be certain of waking up with aches and pains if you sleep on a soft bed where your butt sinks into the mattress. It sounds like a piece of heaven to sink into a bed as soft as a velvet cloud, but it will do your body no good. Investing in an ideal pillow for back sleepers will also help to keep your body aligned. 

    2.  REDUCE BODY PRESSURE

Have you ever woken up feeling pain in your shoulder and had to turn over? Your sleep has been disturbed by a pressure point. Sleeping on your back creates a wider surface area and alleviates pressure points on your body and your internal organs.

   3.  SINUS BUILDUP SORTED

You’ll know that sleeping on your side doesn’t help when you’re struggling with sinusitis or allergies. You’ve probably woken up with congestion on the side you’ve been lying on. Sleeping on your back with your head propped up helps with sinus congestion. Propping up the head of your bed will help to drain your sinuses. An inexpensive temporary solution is to place a standard-sized brick under each side of the headboard side of the bed.

   4.  TENSION HEADACHE TIME-OUT

Often, tension headaches are a result of sleeping with too many or too few pillows. Sleeping on your back with a good pillow under your neck and knees alleviates spinal pressure and gives your neck a natural resting position.

   5.  FACIAL FRICTION FIX

The best beauty sleep is on your back. Sleeping on your side or on your tummy creates friction on your face. Later, you begin to develop folds, wrinkles, and acne breakouts. If you want to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and acne issues, then sleeping on your back is the way to go.

   6.  ACID REFLUX RELIEF

Sleeping on your back with your head slightly raised will alleviate acid reflux issues as gravity works in your favor. The same as with helping sinusitis, propping up the head side of your bed about the height of a standard brick will reduce reflux symptoms.

HOW TO SLEEP ON YOUR BACK

Your mattress should support you – You spend almost half your life sleeping, it goes without saying how important a good mattress is. It needs to be supportive, not soft.

Your neck will love you if you also invest in an ideal pillow that supports your neck and keeps your spine in alignment.

A memory foam pillow will remember you by moulding your head and neck to give you ultimate support when sleeping. 

A pillow under your knees will nurture the support of your body’s natural curves. It will also help to reduce back strain.

TIPS FOR GOOD SLEEP

• Keep a regular waking and sleeping routine.
• Your room should be dark to allow the production of melatonin (sleep hormone).
• Deep breathing grounds you and slows down your heart rate.
• Stretching before bed relieves muscle tension and boosts blood flow.
• Curbing screen time at least 30 minutes before bed improves your quality of sleep.