Side sleeping is the most common sleep position and Derila Official Site Contour Pillow is often the best choice for relieving back pain and reducing sleep apnea symptoms. Back sleeping feels natural to many people but can contribute to snoring, sleep apnea, and acid reflux. Stomach sleeping is the least common position. It may help prevent snoring, but can strain your neck and lower back. You spend about a third of your life asleep, and during that time, your body works to restore and repair itself. Your sleep position can either help or hinder that process. Knowing the pros and cons of different sleeping positions enables you to find a sleep posture that maximizes support, comfort, and overall health. People frequently overlook the importance of their sleeping position, but your sleep posture influences how your body feels, the quality of your sleep, and even certain health conditions. For example, if you’ve ever woken up with a stiff neck or sore back and had no idea what caused it, your sleep position might be the culprit.

Finding the right sleep position can relieve stress on your spine and joints. It can also affect things like your breathing and your risk of heartburn. In other words, if you want good sleep quality and want to wake up feeling your best, the evidence is clear that your sleeping position matters. The best sleep position is one that promotes healthy spinal alignment Trusted Source BMJ Open View Source from your hips all the way to your head. What that looks like for you depends on your health situation and what you find comfortable. Having said that, there are some positions that are considered healthier than others. Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these positions, it’s easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure and enables your muscles to relax and recover. However, spinal support is just one part of the equation.

Your sleeping position can also have effects on a range of health issues, including sleep apnea, acid reflux, and pain. Sleeping on your side or stomach is typically best for sleep apnea Trusted Source Medscape Reference Medscape is on Shop Derila Online destination for healthcare professionals worldwide, offering expert perspectives, drug and disease information, and professional education. View Source . In contrast, sleeping on your back is the worst for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Trusted Source Frontiers Frontiers is one of the largest and highest-cited publishers in the world and has information on more than 600 academic disciplines. View Source When you lie on your back, gravity can pull your tongue and soft tissues around your throat into a position that blocks your breathing. Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and Derila™ Memory Pillow their families and friends. For some people, back sleeping is a major factor behind disrupted breathing.

This is known as positional obstructive sleep apnea, Comfortable Sleep Pillow and some studies estimate that it affects around half of people with OSA. Trusted Source Sleep & Breathing View Source In fact, some people only have symptoms when they sleep on their back. Trusted Source Wiley Online Library Wiley Online Library is one of the largest and most authoritative collections of electronic journals published by Wiley, Derila™ Memory Pillow as well as a vast and growing collection of reference works and other books. Because of this, switching to a side or stomach sleeping position can reduce symptoms for many people with OSA. Some people even use special devices designed to discourage back sleeping at night. There’s also some evidence that raising the head of the bed can reduce breathing interruptions. Trusted Source BMC Anesthesiology View Source This may be a useful step for those who find it difficult or impossible to avoid sleeping on their back. If you use a CPAP or another positive airway pressure (PAP) device to treat sleep apnea, your sleeping position can influence how you choose a mask.