When you crawl into bed at the end of a long day, what’s your favorite position to fall asleep? Some people like to curl up on their sides, others lie flat on their backs, and some people prefer to sleep on their stomachs.
Comfort is an important factor in ensuring you get a good night’s rest, but you should also consider how your sleeping position affects your health. If you are a stomach sleeper, then you should be proactive about supporting your sleeping position to minimize the potential effect on your spine. A good pillow is a great investment to support your spinal column.
How Stomach Sleeping Affects Your Health
Consider the position on your spine when you are stomach sleeping. With the head turned and elevated on a thick pillow, it can affect your neck and back. The wrong pillow makes it hard to maintain a neutral spine because it puts most of your weight in the middle of the body. Luckily, this is a problem that can easily be fixed by choosing a stomach sleeping pillow.
If you’ve ever woken up with a stiff neck, then it’s likely caused by the bed or pillow you are using. A quality pillow maintains an optimal position of the spine, reducing the risk of chronic pain and referred pain. Choose the best pillow so you can sleep soundly at night, which has a positive affect on many aspects of your overall wellness.
In some cases, stomach sleeping can have a positive benefit for reducing sleep apnea and snoring. Laying on your stomach helps to keep the airways open. So, it can help with certain aspects of health, depending on your unique needs.
You might not notice neck and back problems after sleeping with a poor-quality pillow for one night. But the problems can develop over time with this continued habit.
3 Tips for Stomach Sleeping
If you prefer sleeping on your stomach, then look for ways to minimize the effects on your health. Here are a few tips to help you protect your health while stomach sleeping:
- Use a Thin Pillow: Sleeping on a thin pillow reduces the angle of the neck and head. A stomach sleeper pillow is an effective way to support the position of the spine.
- Pelvis Position: Place a pillow to support the pelvis, reducing spinal pressure by keeping the back in a neutral position.
- Stretching in the Morning: When you wake up, take a moment to gently stretch so you can loosen up the muscles for the day.
When you are choosing a pillow, be proactive about selecting materials that are supportive of your health. Instead of using pillows made of synthetic materials, choose a millet pillow or buckwheat pillow to avoid toxic exposure while you are sleeping.
The right pillow can have an undeniable impact on improving your sleep. Not only are you investing in your comfort, but good sleep means you are investing in your health.