Sleep is one of the few natural phenomena that is hardwired into everyone. We are instinctively able to sleep, regardless of age. Everyone is born with an ability to sleep. This ability is demonstrated by the ability of babies to sleep. As far as everyone is concerned, it a natural process.
However natural sleeping is, it can end up being a not so easy endeavor. Various factors come into paly, each determining the extent of benefits derived from sleeping. Too much sleep is associated with some conditions detrimental to health such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, too little of it is known to cause some negative side effects as well including dementia and diabetes.
At the pinnacle of factors affecting the amount od sleep one has is sleeping posture. Sleeping position has a hand in causing wrinkles, heartburn, and snoring.
Read to find out how your sleeping position is affecting you.
Back Sleeping
The Benefits: Ask any physician which is the best sleeping posture and they will intuitively tell you that it is the savasana pose posture. The benefits that emanate from sleeping in this position are enormous. For starters, the whole of the back section, including the spine is relaxed and well supported. The mattress, in this case, can perform its work comprehensively by providing support to the spine. What this means is that the back muscles and the spine are relaxed and get a good night rest.
Additionally, the neck is placed in a neutral posture, thus reducing the occurrence of any unnecessary pressure.
Since your face is kept free of any compression against the pillow and mattress, it leaves you free from any sleep induced wrinkles. This is a huge plus for all those who aim to maintain a wrinkle-free face.
The Cons: as you would imagine, there are some definite cons is being back sleeper. One of them is the increased susceptibility to snoring and sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back causes the lower end of your tongue to collapse while you sleep, causing obstruction of the windpipe. Consequently, you end up snoring. There exist a high correlation between this sleeping position and snoring or apnea that one of their treatment is sleeping on your side!
Additionally, research into good night sleep has shown that people who snooze with this position tend to suffer from a poor night rest. Information stemming from the research that people who have a restless night, spend a good amount of time on their backs than in any other position.
Side Sleeping
The Benefits: This is the most popular sleeping posture. More often than not, you will find yourself in a fetal pose while sleeping. Other times, you will be stretched out straight. Whichever of the two you opt for, you stand to ease the extent and the occurrence of any heartburn. Additionally, if you are pregnant, it is advised fro you to sleep on your left side, which improves circulation to the heart. Back sleeping during pregnancy places undue pressure on the back, which can cause fainting episodes.
The Demerits: Sleeping on one side the whole night can cause organ strain, with the lung and stomach being the most susceptible. Organ strain can be prevented by altering between the side as you sleep (which is rather difficult once you completely doze off). One side sleeping can also cause pressure-induced numbness on the arms. Supporting your body weight with one arm only, places a lot of pressure on the given armís muscles and nerves as well as restricting blood flow. As a consequence, you may end up experiencing painful needle sharp pains in your arm or an episode of ìrubber armî.
Stomach Sleeping
The Benefits: There is very little to gain by sleeping on your stomach. This sleeping position is the most disadvantageous sleeping position. Nevertheless, you stand to reduce susceptibility to apnea and snoring.
The demerits: Sleeping on your stomach distorts the natural alignment of the spine, leading to lower back aches. The resulting posture of the head, which is placed looking at one side only also affects the neck. If you are an advent stomach sleeper, you can reduce the impact on your back by placing a pillow just under your abdomen to raise your lower back.
Sleeping is a matter of comfortability, and a great deal should be done to ensure you are comfortable. Play around with the various sleeping posture until you find the perfect match for you.
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