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Beauty & Health

How To Sleep Like A Baby Even When You’re Super Stressed Out

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Beauty & Health

How To Sleep Like A Baby Even When You’re Super Stressed Out

What does your sleep position say about you? How you lie in bed can affect your quality of sleep and wellbeing. We decode some sleep positions for you here.

March 16, 2018

Stressed out over sleep? One thing we have little control over is the position in which we sleep. Sleep experts say we naturally gravitate to the position in which we feel most comfortable.

However, research shows that in some cases, certain positions can cause or aggravate health conditions. Sleep apnoea, headaches, heartburn and back pain can be associated with the position you end up in while asleep. How you lie in bed can also play a part in developing wrinkles and saggy breasts.

Nearly two-thirds of people (63 per cent) sleep on their sides, with 16 per cent favouring their stomach and 14 per cent preferring to lie on their back. Here, we decode some common sleep positions so you can figure one which one is best when you want to sleep like a baby through the night:

READ MORE:
The Sleeping Masks That Will Give You Smoother Skin
The One Thing You Shouldn’t Do When Trying To Sleep Better
Stayed Up Late Last Night? Here’s How You Can Look Less Tired

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/sleep/
How To Sleep Like A Baby Even When You're Super Stressed Out
Lying on your back with your arms by your side
image

Good for: spine health and for your neck, as long as you don’t use too many pillows and put your neck under strain. This is because it keeps your head, neck and spine in alignment and doesn’t force extra curves into your back. It’s also good for preventing wrinkles because your face is not pressing against a pillow.

Bad for: snorers. It makes snoring worse, and if you are prone to sleep apnoea, you increase your risk of having problems breathing by sleeping on your back.

Photo: Freepik
Lying on your back with your arms above your shoulders (starfish)
image

Good for: your back and neck and, like sleeping with your arms down, it can help relieve acid reflux because your stomach is lower than your oesophagus, so acid is less likely to flow back up. It also means the weight of your breasts is fully supported, which can reduce sagginess.

Bad for: snoring. Sleeping on your back may also aggravate restless legs syndrome, and having your arms above your shoulders can put pressure on the nerves in your shoulders, leading to pain.

Photo: Pixabay
Lying on your front with hands around the pillow
image

Good for: helping your body to digest food. It can also ease snoring.

Bad for: your neck, which can end up in uncomfortable positions when you turn your head to one side. Sleeping face down can also cause back problems because the curve of the spine is not supported. You’re also likely to notice more wrinkles, thanks to your face being pressed against the pillow.

Photo: Pixabay
Sleeping on your side with hands down by your side
image

Good for: the spine, if you sleep straight rather than hunched over, as it helps to elongate it. It is also better for you than lying on your back if you have sleep apnoea. And it can reduce acid reflux.

Bad for: your skin, which can end up sagging due to the pull of gravity and lying against the pillow. Your breasts can also end up unsupported and become more likely to sag.

Photo: Pixabay
Foetal position (on side with knees drawn up)
image

Good for: easing snoring. Many women also find it comfortable during pregnancy.

Bad for: your back and neck, because you can be very hunched over. And it can be bad for breathing – having your back curved and your chin down can hinder you from breathing deeply. This lack of oxygen can lead to headaches.

Photo: Pixabay
Right or left side?
image

If you lie on the right, you could make heartburn worse. Switching to the left should alleviate that, but it could put strain in your liver, lungs and stomach. Doctors usually advise pregnant women to lie on their left because it can improve circulation to the baby.

Photo: Pixabay
If you sleep on your front:
image

Put a flat pillow under your hips to keep your spine in better alignment. Don’t use a big fluffy pillow for your head as that can strain your neck. Your pillow should be flat or try not using one at all.

Photo: Pixabay
If you sleep on your back:
image

Put a small pillow under the curve in your back to support your spine, and another one under your knees to decrease stress on your back.

Photo: Pixabay
If you sleep on your side:
image

Place a pillow between your knees. This stops your top knee and leg sliding forward onto the mattress and rotating your lower spine, which can cause back pain.

Photo: Pixabay
To prevent yourself sleeping on your right:
image

Roll up a towel and use it as a wedge behind you so you don’t roll over in the night.

(Text by Donna Fleming/bauersyndication.com.au / Additional reporting: Natalya Molok)

Photo: Pixabay
  • TAGS:
  • bed
  • family health
  • Health
  • healthy home
  • nap
  • night
  • night time
  • sleep
  • sleep position
  • snooze
  • wellbeing
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