You will be surprised to know that the way you sleep has a profound effect on your health. It is not just about comfort, but it affects everything from your spine to your digestion. Let's see how.
1. Sleeping on your back (best):
This is considered to be the best sleeping position. In this, your spine and neck remain straight in their natural position, which reduces the risk of back and neck pain.
When you sleep on your back, your weight is evenly distributed across the body. This does not put pressure on any one joint. Also, it prevents acid reflux as your head remains above the stomach.
2. Sleeping on the side (very good):
This is the most common position in the world and it is also very good for health. It helps in reducing snoring and improves digestion. Sleeping on the left side, in particular, is nothing less than a miracle! Our digestive system is designed in such a way that sleeping on the left side helps food move through the intestines easily and improves digestion. Moreover, our brain cleanses itself at night through the Glymphatic System. Studies show that sleeping on the left side speeds up this cleansing process, which keeps the brain healthy.
3. Sleeping on the stomach (worst):
This is the worst sleeping position. While it may reduce snoring for some people, it is extremely harmful for health.
Sleeping on the stomach causes your spine to lose its natural 'S' shape and become completely flat. The biggest problem is that you have to keep your neck bent at 90 degrees to breathe. This puts terrible strain on the neck and back muscles, leading to stiffness in the morning and severe pain in the long run.
So, the next time you go to sleep, remember, your position can make or break your health.
Figure 1: Your visual guide to healthy and unhealthy sleep positions.