Do you sleep well? If not, it could be because of your sleep posture. Just like your normal daily posture affects your health, your sleep posture has a lot to do with your sleep hygiene.
We spend a third of our lives in bed, but we don’t give much thought to how we sleep. Your sleep posture isn’t just your sleep positioning. It involves your body alignment and your sleep equipment — such as your pillow and bed.
Focus on Alignment
Your body’s alignment centers around your spine. Your back should follow its natural curvature. That means you have a natural curve at your neck, middle back, and low back.
In order to be properly aligned, you need full-body support. You can align your hips, shoulders and head as you lay down. You can have excellent alignment whether you sleep on your side or your back.
To have the proper sleep posture, you need a mattress that provides sufficient support but still allows you to relax. Comfort and support are both important.
Make sure your mattress doesn’t sink at the hips when you lay on it. It should also be comfortable at the key pressure points, such as your knees, hips, and shoulders.
The Right Sleep Position
Finally, you need the right sleep position. You can sleep on your back, or sleep on your side instead of on your back. The one you want to avoid is sleeping on your stomach.
When you sleep on your stomach, it’s impossible to keep your spine aligned. Your body sinks and your head is aligned too high.
When you have all of these elements — the right alignment, the right equipment, and the right position — you’ll have a sleep posture that’s perfect for you. You can avoid insomnia and other sleep problems. Sleep well!
Source: TheSleepDoctor and SlumberBUMP (positional therapy)
