An average person will spend a third of their life in bed. That equates to 25 years, or 9,125 days (based on a person living to 75 years and sleeping for 8 hours per night) in bed. It therefore begs the question, what is the best sleeping position?
A brand new intuitive video, produced by sleep experts Adjustamatic, looks at various sleep positions and how these positions affect the body.
As many as four in five adults experience back pain at some point in their lives. It is most common in the lower back, although it can be felt anywhere along the spine, right from the neck to the hips.
And while back pain and sleep problems are linked, the connection isn’t well understood.
The video demonstrates the different sleeping positions and how these positions support, or put strain on the body.
There are 3 main adopted sleeping positions: on the side, on the back, and on the front.
Side sleepers
The most common sleep position is the ‘side sleeper’. If you are a side sleeper go here to see what mattress is best for you to sleep on. 41 per cent curl into the foetal positions, 13 per cent adopt the ‘yearner’ position and 15 per cent of people sleep in the ‘log’ position with their hands by their sides.
The video shows how the number of pillows alters the angle at which the neck rests. Too many pillows and the neck rests at an uncomfortable angle, placing strain on the spine. Too few and the spine is strained in the opposite direction.
Placing a pillow between your knees will help support the hips and keep the spine aligned, as demonstrated by the video.
Back sleepers
Sleeping on your back, in general, keeps the neck and spine in a neutral position. It’s the position most recommended by physios and sleep experts, however, sleeping on your back isn’t best for snorers.
Jack Chew, Clinical Director from Chews Health Ltd reminds us “sleeping on a soft mattress on your back could aggravate existing back problems”.
The video shows that the number of pillows used when sleeping on your back can strain your neck if not right.
Front Sleepers
Whilst sleeping on your front is good for reducing snoring, it’s bad for pretty much everything else. Sleeping in this position can lead to severe back and neck pain as the spine is under a lot of strain. It can also put a great deal of strain on joints and muscles, resulting in aches and pains and even numbness when you wake up.
If you do choose to sleep on your front, try to lie face down rather than turning your head to alleviate stress from the neck.
“Every individual is different. Therefore, everyone’s sleeping preference differs” says Philip Ellin, Group Operations Director from Adjustamatic.
“It’s important that each individual finds a sleep position which supports their body the best. Selecting the correct mattress and pillows can go a long way to prevent, and reduce back pain” he adds.
So, are you sleeping correctly? #SleepExperts
