Sleeping on your stomach – Good or bad? Here’s what you should know!

Everyone has a busy life and loads of distractions during the day, so most people are glad to get even a few hours of sleep. After a long, tiring day at work, people want nothing more than to get under the sheets and sleep. But what about the position you sleep in? Some positions may make it easier for you to sleep at night, but most people don’t think about that once they’re in bed.

Many people wonder whether sleeping on their stomachs is harmful for their health. The short answer would be yes. A Mayo Clinic study found that many people who sleep on their stomach wake up with neck, back, and joint pain, but they also feel tired the next day. It has been proven that sleeping on your stomach puts pressure on your spine, and since the spine is a conduit for your nerves, spinal stress can result in pain anywhere in your body. This position is also not recommended for pregnant women. By sleeping on the left side, blood flow and oxygen intake are increased, but also there is more room for the baby to move instead of being pressed against the mattress.

The health benefits of sleeping on your side include a more neutral spine position and reduced snoring.

The back position is regarded as the best. Sleeping on your back keeps your body in a neutral position and prevents numbness throughout your body. This sleeping position is good for your skin, as well. It reduces the level of getting wrinkles during sleeping due to the bad sleeping position but it also helps in maintaining the shape of the breasts.

Even though you are aware that sleeping on your stomach is the worst sleeping position, here are some tips you can follow:

1. Place a pillow under your pelvis. Your back and spine will be in a more neutral position, taking pressure off of your spine.

2. Choose a thin and comfortable pillow that will provide adequate support for the head and neck and allow for a neutral spine position.

3. Stretch first thing in the morning. By warming up, stretching, and doing a few gentle exercises, the body will return to normal and the blood flow will improve.