5 Tips for Side Sleepers For a Good Night's Sleep
Do you often find yourself tossing and turning at night? It might be due to using the wrong mattress for your sleeping style. There are different types of sleepers: back sleeper, front sleeper, side sleeper, and combination sleeper. This post is going to focus on the side sleeper and what you need to know if you sleep on your side. Side sleepers make up the majority of the population, and for good reason - it’s one of the most comfortable and beneficial sleeping positions.
It is important to find a bed that will support your spine alignment and keep you comfortable throughout the night. So whether you’re looking to switch up your sleeping position or just need a new mattress, there are a few things you need to know if you identify as a side sleeper.
Benefits of Side Sleeping
Many of of us enjoy sleeping on our sides, but did you know there are even more benefits? For one thing: it feels really great; but if that's not enough reason for switching from back or tummy-time snoozing position, here goes a few benefits to sleeping on your side:
What is good for you when you sleep on your side
● Lower back Pain relief: Sleeping on your side helps to relieve lower back pain since it prevents bending your back, adding pressure to it, like when you sleep on your stomach. Side sleeping also helps maintain spine alignment too.
● Prevent snoring and apnea: When you sleep on your side, it will help to keep the airway open and reduce snoring or other breathing disruptions like apnea. This can prevent further long-term complications like hypertension, arrhythmia, among others.
What is the other side of sleeping on your side?
As with all sleeping positions, doing it on your side has some drawbacks to consider. Finding a proper solution could be more beneficial for you and your sleep than considering changing your position.
Side sleepers may have the risk of neck pain, shoulder compression and spine misalignment if they do not have a proper mattress, pillow, or pillows!
Once you find your spot and position to fall asleep (on any of your sides), your shoulder will be laying on the bed, if your pillow is not high enough or designed for side-sleepers, your head would be “hanging”, causing you neck pain for long periods of a bad position. Another thing that will happen, is your shoulder will collapse towards your neck, causing spine misalignment and morning back pain and probably headache.
Also, your shoulders can pay the price. Imagine all the pressure they takes all over the night. If your mattress is too firm, it will not contour it, pushing it up to a bad position, again collapsing it towards your neck and misaligning your spine, resulting in shoulder, back, and neck pain.
Right or Left, which side is better?
You can sleep either on your right or left side, whatever is more comfortable for you. Sleeping on either side has the benefit of reducing apnea and snoring since sleeping on your side helps to keep your airway open.
In the bed industry is well known that sleeping on your left side can bring some other advantages into play. Here are the reasons why:
● Improves your digestive system: Sleeping on your side improves functions and gas clearance faster. If you are experiencing heartburn or other gastrointestinal problems, they may be relieved. Heartburn episodes can be more frequent when sleeping on your right side or on your back, and lasting longer.
● Improves your brain health: Some studies mention that it may also help clear interstitial waste from your brain. This process may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, among other neurological diseases.
● Benefits during Pregnancy: Pregnancy can come with some gastrointestinal problems and sleeping on the left side can help with these issue, including heartburn. Consider that this position also improves the blood flow between the heart, uterus and the future baby.
5 Tips for Side Sleepers
You might be wondering what are the best tips for sleeping on your side without any drawbacks. Well, now that you know about all the benefits and how great they can make life when we have a comfortable night’s sleep - here is some advice:
● Have side-sleeper pillow or a second pillow at hand: When sleeping on your side, use a side-sleeper pillow or two pillows to support the weight of your head and neck. Position it beneath you so that its firmness cradles away any minor aches or pains while also providing ample space between head and shoulders for comfortable breathing purposes - this is important because when we inhale our muscles relax but if there's not enough room then it can be difficult!
● A pillow between your legs: The natural position when sleeping on your side, is to push the leg that's over top of you into a bend. This will cause some discomfort and maybe even disrupt sleep. For many people could be a problem because it stresses out their ligaments in an unnatural way! "Hugging" a firm pillow between your legs can help avoid this habit, by properly supporting where our spines should go -knees/spine joint alignment.
● Use a proper mattress: We all have our favourite ways to sleep. Some people like the feeling of sinking into their soft, fluffy pillows while others may find that extra firmness helps them get a better alignment and more restful nights' worths! Either way, if you're side-sleeping then an All Foam or Hybrid Mattress will do the job - just make sure it's firm enough so you don't sink down too much when lying on top of itself but also allow complete movement without disruptively waking up at night.
● Push your legs towards your chest: Position your legs slightly up to your chest, this will help relieve some pressure on your back.
● Parallel arms position: Put your hands parallel to each other, and put them below your face. Try keeping them parallel to the sides.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
The technology of beds has changed a lot in recent years and now we have all-foam mattresses or hybrid mattresses. The best you can do is to be sure about what kind you want before going out there so that your purchase will not turn into an uncomfortable night's sleep! Both of them can be a good fit if you are a side sleeper. Just be sure you are buying the proper one considering how sinkage moulds your body and will allow easy position changing without any struggle--and ensures better rest overall.
If you're looking for the perfect mattress, look no further. We have an exclusive range of mattresses that will suit your needs and preferences including our Advanced Pressure Relief models which are designed with side sleepers in mind so they can customize their bed to provide plushness where it counts most - especially around the shoulders and hips area as well head support!
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