Whatever mattresses you end up sleeping on, there is always one position that is the comfiest for you. It’s the sweet spot that makes it easier to slip into dreamland. Yet, what can be said about your sleeping position? What kind of sleeper does it make you? Learn the different types and see what it all entails here.
The Types of Sleeping Positions
Side Sleeper
Being a side sleeper is rather common – with approximately 74% of people sleeping in this position! Naturally, this sleep position is the most prominent since there are several ways to sleep on your side. For example, some side sleepers tuck their legs into a fetal position. Meanwhile, some other side sleepers hug a pillow as they sleep. They’re both classified as ‘side sleepers.’
For the most part, being a side sleeper is great as it has plenty of benefits. Side sleepers typically suffer less from insomnia and chronic sleep deprivation and have a reduced chance of sleep apnea. Research can attribute these to how side sleeping helps reduce heartburn, improve digestion, and better blood flow – which helps promote brain health.
However, these benefits might not be apparent for some side sleepers. How come? Well, it all depends on what side they’re sleeping on – either left or right.
Most who sleep on their right side don’t reap the same benefits as left-side sleepers. Why is that? The reason mainly is how your right side’s organs are affected. Sleeping on your right side hinders your small intestine from allowing it to flow naturally. As a result, discomfort comes from backup and inflammation, leading to acid reflux, heartburn, or other gastrointestinal distress that disrupts sleep.
You can easily turn to your left side to remedy this issue. But, if you’re tossing and turning from aggravating pressure points and waking up with lower back pain, the solution is to align your back. For side sleepers, that means putting a pillow between their legs to help keep their spine straight as they sleep.
Back Sleeper
Compared to side sleepers, people who sleep on their backs are in the minority. When you stack back sleepers up against side sleepers, only eight to ten percent of people are back sleepers. It’s a small number, but back sleepers have unique pros and cons regarding sleep quality.
When it comes to having the best sleep at night, their position helps create that foundation. The reason stems from their position being the most ideal for spinal alignment. Their backs are well supported throughout the night, so they’re not tossing or turning. In turn, they are less likely to wake up with back pain or aches and pains. Plus, it also helps lower your chances of acid reflux. In these ways, it’s great for your overall sleep health.
However, there are drawbacks to being a back sleeper.
Despite sleeping rather well, back sleepers are quite vulnerable to sleep apnea. The reason why that’s the case is quite simple: gravity. Gravity will work on your tongue and soft tissues by pulling them slightly back and even into the airway, making collapse more likely. Furthermore, since the position obstructs your breathing, it’s also the culprit behind making snoring worse.
Stomach Sleeper
Do you usually like sleeping on your stomach? If so, you’re part of an even smaller minority that like sleeping in this position. Compared to back sleepers, stomach sleepers account for roughly 7 percent of people. Essentially, they’re quite rare.
However, most professionals don’t recommend sleeping in this position regarding sleep health. Why is that? Well, it all amounts to supporting your spinal alignment.
When you’re sleeping on your stomach, your back isn’t supported at all and flattens your spine’s curvature. You’re more likely to wake up with lower back and neck pain. The neck pain stems mainly from how stomach sleepers lay with their head turned or craned during the night. Furthermore, you become more susceptible to acid reflux when sleeping on your stomach.
Yet, are there any benefits to sleeping in this position?
In all honesty, this sleeping position has the least benefits. However, despite how this sleeping position is cozy, it does help with reducing how much you snore and even sleep apnea.
There you have it – the three kinds of sleepers you could be! Hopefully, this gave you an idea about which of them you are and what you can do about it to get a better night’s sleep!