There’s no feeling quite like taking a load off and climbing into bed after a long day on your feet. However, if your sleeping position of choice looks something like a twisted pretzel which requires an hour of painful readjusting each morning, then we think this latest study could do with your attention.
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RELATED: Natural ways to get a better sleep
The National Sleep Foundation has just revealed the best position to relieve pressure on the body, and ensure the neck and back are correctly aligned. And in what we predict might be an unpopular winner, sleeping on your back has been ranked at number one.
BUT, for the anti-back sleepers (us included), before you sacrifice your zzz’s in a desperate attempt to lighten the load on your spine, James Rowley, chief of pulmonary and critical care and sleep medicine explains to WhoWhatWear that “individuals should sleep in the position that is most comfortable for them and allows them the best night of sleep,” adding that, “for some that might be on their back, for others on their side”.
However, while back sleeping may serve health benefits to some, it can also worsen pre-existing conditions for others.
For those who suffer from sleep apnea or are working to keep their snoring to a minimum, positions other than the back are going to be the most beneficial in making improvements.
Before we over-complicate arguably the most important part of our routine, our best advice is to sleep in whatever position you can actually guarantee a good night’s rest in. Simple.
Main image credit: Getty
What position do you sleep in? And how do you find it?
Mostly sleep on my right side but I have had to sleep on my back, at times especially after I had gallbladder surgery.
Thanks BH for a very informative article, on the best sleeping position.
I can only fall asleep on my stomach or side. I’ve never been able to fall sleep on my back
I always alternate sleeping on sides
Always on my left side. I snore on my back.
I fall asleep quite easily
Side sleeper here. I get sleep paralysis sleeping on my back!
I tend to sleep on my right side. I don’t move around much in the night because I’ve usually got a cat snuggled up against my legs and I can’t!
Side! I do end up in corpse position unconsciously at times with hands crossed on my chest, then I have the most bizarre vivid lucid dreams and weird visions. So prefer side. Have super great sleep then.
On the side for me!
Mostly sleep on my left side, but do roll over a lot. I don’t think I could fall asleep just lying on my back.
I sleep on my side & judging by how messy my hair is when I wake up, I suspect I breakdance in my sleep.
Im a side sleeper but I also use an extra pillow between my knees to help align my spine.
Side for me. I rarely sleep on my back.
Side for me, I can’t fall asleep on my back.
Stomach or side, I snore when I fall asleep on my back.
That article was a bit of a non-starter!
I sleep on my side or stomach. If I am really tired I can sleep on my back but it does not feel normal for me. The times when I have slept on my back, I have felt less pressure on my back and shoulders when I wake up. But habit will also take me back to my usual positions.
My favorite topic. Sleep!
Love to sleep on my tummy , can’t fall asleep on my back ever. At the end of the day what’s the most comfortable is the best.
I start off lying on my back then after ten minutes or so turn onto my side to fall asleep. I used to sleep on my stomach when I was young but haven’t done that for decades.
I’m a side sleeper but when I wake up, I find myself sleeping on my back
Definitely a side sleeper. I think I might snore a little 🙂 when sleeping on my back.
I too have trouble sleeping on my back. I love to sleep on my left side. Thank you for the info
Definitely a side sleeper. I can go to sleep within a minute of closing my eyes
I sleep on my left side or stomach, can never sleep on my back.
I’m a side sleeper and a snorer.
Favourite position is lying on my left side but I often end up on my back. Only thing is I end up with stiff achy legs in the morning from having them stretched for too long. I need a pillow to support my legs.
Im a side, stomach and back sleeper 😀
I’m a side and back sleeper. I actually have no idea haha, I just know I’m definitely not a stomach sleeper (how do you breathe?)
Side for me. My ex boyfriend would always snore on his back so I would always be pushing him to his side.
I love sleeping on my tum – I think this came from having been deprived on doing so when I was preggas with my three girls.
I’m mostly a right side sleeper but often switch to the left side during the night.
I try to sleep on my back but often end up on my side
I usually fall asleep on the side but then can switch between the back and sides
I end up with a sore back if I sleep on it.
I am aside sleeper
I’m a side sleeper, I find it quite comfy to lie on my back with my arms above my head but if I fall asleep like that then I am really stiff in the morning!
I am side sleeper.But change the sides during the night.
No way I could sleep or even lie on my back for very long
I do that anyway… Feels right for me…
I’m not a good sleeper in any position! I toss and turn all night, it doesn’t matter how tired I am, I wake up frequently. 🙁
i wake up during the night a lot
i ike to sleep on my side
I have been trying so hard to learn to sleep on my back, but it’s so difficult. I’ve had to twice in my life after surgeries but it somehow never sticks.
How I sleep depends entirely on what parts of me are hurting at the time.
When I’m having trouble with lower back pain, sleeping on my back with a pillow under my knees is the only way that I can get to sleep. Then after about 5 hours, I wake up, pull out the pillow and go back to sleep on my side.
I’m currently having trouble with one hip. I can’t get comfortable on my back, and have to go back and forth between the two sides until I can get comfortable enough to sleep.
Stomach sleeper, tied back, hurts my neck, probably from all the years of sleeping on my stomach. Although occasionally i side sleep.
Left side is my favorite.
I usually like to sleep on my left side but sometimes sleep on my stomach.
I am definitely a side sleeper but it takes me ages to get off to sleep and keep changing sides – good advice
I’m a side sleeper… Thanks for an insightful article.
I always sleep on the left side. this suits me and I sleep better this way.