Sleep positions to get a good night’s sleep
10th February 2017
Slumber Centre
Making sure you have a good sleeping posture when you are lying down is just as important as having a correct posture when sitting and standing. We all vary in our preferred sleeping position but did you know that it may be the cause of some of our aches and pains? If your spine is not in a neutral, mid-line position when you sleep, you risk putting unnecessary stress on your neck and back. Having the right sleeping position will help to minimise neck, shoulder, back, hip and knee pain as well as help to relieve snoring and headaches. Therefore, we have put together some handy tips on getting a good night’s sleep, whatever your sleeping position.
If you sleep on your side...
Sleeping on your side is the most common sleeping position.
Your neck needs to be aligned with your spine so make sure your pillow is neither too high nor low. If your pillow isn’t right for you, you will strain the muscles in your neck, causing pain in the morning.
Look for a pillow that fills the gap between your shoulders and neck as this will help to support your head whilst keeping your neck in a neutral position.
If you often get lower back pain, make sure there is no twisting at your hips and pelvis.
If you sleep on your back...
This is the best position for helping to keep your spine in a neutral position. Lying on your back helps keep your neck and spine in aligning, alleviating aches and pains.
Make sure your head is in the correct mid-line position and not pushed too far backwards or forwards.
However, sleeping on your back can intensify snoring.
If you sleep on your front...
Sleeping on your front is considered the worst position and can cause a number of problems including neck and back pain, teeth grinding and numb hands.
Your spine isn’t properly supported when you lay on your front, and it often leads to the overarching of your back.
If you are a front sleeper, you could try putting a pillow under your chest to help prevent your spine overarching.
Too many pillows under your head will put your neck out of alignment with your spine so try using a thin pillow as this will stop your neck being forced backwards.
Those who are prone to snoring may find sleeping on their front helps to reduce it.
At Harrison all our beds are available in different levels of support: gently supportive, medium support and firm support. Tailoring your mattress to you ensures your spine is always aligned and your body is in the correct position.
We always recommend visiting one of our bed experts to ensure you select the mattress that gives you the best sleeping posture.