The position that we sleep in is individual to us, depending on which we find most comfortable and cosy so that we can drift off with ease. But some of these sleeping positions can lead to pain and discomfort when we wake, especially if we are not supported properly by our mattress or pillow. Sleeping on your side can come with a variety of health benefits including improved gut health and relief from back pain. But what do you need to do to ensure you’re sleeping on your side correctly? Read on to find out more!
Benefits of sleeping on your side
Some of us will have a preferred position that we sleep in, whether that’s on our back, side, or stomach – it all depends on what we find most comfortable. A lot of us will prefer sleeping on our sides and will do this just because it feels most natural to us, and we fall asleep most easily this way – but did you know that many health benefits come with sleeping on your side? Some of the pros of sleeping in this position include:
Relief from back pain: If you wake up in pain most mornings, it may be due to sleeping on your back, or stomach, which with the incorrect support means you’ll be exacerbating existing injuries or creating new ones. Choosing to sleep on your side gives your back some relief, you can reduce the pressure you’re putting on your spine, which means you’re more likely to wake pain-free.
Gut health: Sleeping on your side improves digestive health, and how you sleep can have a direct impact on how the system within your body works. If you experience heartburn or other gastrointestinal problems during the day or night, switching to sleeping on your side can relieve this under the air conditioner.
Improves brain health: One of the main processes that take place within our body when we sleep is our brain storing information and getting rid of waste. It is said that the position we sleep in affects the efficiency of this process and sleeping on your side can speed it up.
If you would like to take advantage of the health benefits that come with sleeping on your side, here are a few tips that can help if you’re new to sleeping in this position.
Find the right mattress
The mattress that you sleep on has a significant impact when it comes to side sleeping. The mattress that you choose should provide support and comfort depending on the position you sleep in. If you’re a side sleeper, your hips and shoulders take most of the weight – therefore choosing a model that can provide pressure relief is essential. Side sleepers should choose a mattress that is soft but can provide relief to these pressure points – a memory foam mattress could be a perfect choice.
Find the right pillow
Along with choosing the right mattress, you’re going to want to choose a pillow that can help with side sleeping too. You should choose a product that supports the alignment of your neck and your spine, this can help to minimise the risk of neck pain when you wake. A feather pillow can be a great option for this or there are latex pillows that can provide optimum support to help with alignment.
Pillow between your knees
This is a good way to reduce pressure on your knees. When we sleep on our sides, our knees are pressed together, and into the mattress – which is why pressure point relief is so important. However, you could also choose to sleep with a pillow in between your legs if you find that your knees are taking the brunt of the pressure. This can also keep your hips aligned, and it can stop you from straining your back. You should try this if you’re finding that side sleeping is still giving you discomfort – so that you can wake up free of any nagging pains.
If you decide that side sleeping just isn’t for you, you can change back to a position that is more natural and comfortable just like your home decor. You should think about the features you need in a mattress so that you can reduce pain and support your body adequately in your new position – you should also consider a new pillow to work in conjunction with your mattress and your body.
