What your sleep position might mean for your health

Everyone from scientists to mental health professionals agree that getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your well-being. 

You’ve probably heard the arguments for getting eight to 10 hours of shut-eye every night, and you’ve committed yourself to at least attempting to snooze more. But what you may not know is that your slumbering position can be just as important as how much you sleep, and it can tell you some pretty significant things about your health and habits.

Whether you snooze on your side or are a hard-core on-the-back relaxer, here’s what your sleep position is trying to tell you about your body.

If you sleep on your back

There’s a reason why every yoga class ends with savasana. According to some experts, being on your back is one of the better ways to relax. “The reason it’s an excellent position is that there’s no compromise of any circulation,” says sleep expert. “Everything is free to flow.” 

 

But if sleeping on your back is has you feeling more “ouch!” than “om,” your body could be trying to tell you something. A sleep disorder coordinator , says an issue called “positional sleep apnea” can be triggered when you’re on your back. “When someone is lying on her back, gravity alone is going to weigh her down,” she explains. “So if they have, let’s say, extra soft tissues in their throat due to fatty cellular buildup or a disproportionally large tongue, that can actually close up their airways and cause them to choke and/or snore.” Gastrointestinal and back issues can also make this position uncomfortable, so listen to your body if it’s begging you snooze on the flip side. 

According to  a dentist who specializes in sleep apnea, over 50 percent of the population suffers from these sleep-related issues and should thus be wary of spending an entire night on their backs. “I would never recommend the back,” she says. If you’ve gotta do it, she suggests sleeping with a 30- or 45-degree wedge to prop yourself up.

If you sleep on your side

If you’re an in-between-y sleeper, it may have more to do with what you’re resting on than what you’re body is trying to say. “In Ayurveda, the side that you lay on will activate a specific hemisphere of the brain,” says a researcher. There’s some debate over which side is better (the right side can cause acid reflux, while the left has been linked to nightmares, says  a dentist specializing in sleep apnea), but the Dr. notes that regardless of whether you’re a left-y or a right-y sleeper, it’s critical that you invest in the right pillow. 

“Sleeping position is married to your mattress quality and pillow formation or size,” she says. “Depending on how you sleep most of the time should impact your pillow, that it’s not too thick or too thin.” If you’re a side sleeper who’s waking up with a sore neck, it may be time to treat yourself to a new pillow or to consider a reposition.

If you sleep in the fetal position

If you’re sleeping like a baby when you’re… sleeping like a baby, you’re in good company. More than 40 percent of the population favors the fetal position. If you’re in that group, the Dr. recommends a gentle, not-too-tight fetal position so your organs can function properly throughout the night.

However, not everyone agrees. “The problem with the fetal position is that so much circulation is compromised, and that’s not great for your blood flow,” says another expert. If you are planning to snuggle up on your side, make sure you’re not crunching up your body, and be sure to protect your neck and back by keeping your head slightly propped up and bending your legs together.

If you sleep on your stomach

Tummy time may be an adorable activity for infants, but it can be a problem for adults. “Your stomach is probably the worst way to sleep because it’s hard on your back,” says the Dr. Stomach sleeping can reduce snoring, but so can a humidifier without messing up your spine. If you’re a stomach sleeper looking to change your ways, Dr.  suggests strapping tennis balls under the front of your T-shirt (yes, really) to keep you from rolling into the position in the middle of the night. 

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