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.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE
HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.
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No one wants those bags under the eyes. While they are not cause
for alarm, dark circles around your eyes will make you look and feel
older – something nobody wants.
Why
these dark circles form in the first place. There are numerous causes,
but generally, as we age, skin tissues around the eyes start to weaken
and sag, causing fluid to accumulate under eyes, creating a swollen
appearance.
Things such as allergies,
eczema, water retention, and sleeping on your face can aggravate the
condition. Furthermore, smoking, alcohol, and drugs can also play a
part.
Fortunately for us, there are
numerous things that you can do to help reduce the appearance of bags
under our eyes. 8 of these can be found below: 1. Take it Easy on the Salt Salt is commonly linked to high
blood pressure, but did you know that it can also cause fluid retention
and lead to puffiness around the eyes? Therefore, if you use salt, use
Himalayan sea salt and in moderation. Avoid highly salty foods such as
pizza and some soups, eat more of fresh vegetables. 2. Sleep on Your Back Sleeping on your back will
prevent gravity from causing fluid build-up around your eyes. Consider
adding an extra pillow under your head as well, but make sure that this
extra pillow doesn’t affect your sleep – if you don’t get enough sleep,
those dark circles under your eyes will only get worse. 3. Remove Any Makeup Before Going to Bed Leaving eye makeup on during the
night will irritate your eyes, causing them to water and get puffy.
Therefore, you should make sure to remove your eye makeup before going
to sleep in order to eliminate any added irritation around the eyes. 4. No Alcohol Alcohol dehydrates your body and
skin. This dehydration will often cause the delicate area around your
eyes to appear sunken and dark. To add to this, alcohol can cause
bloodshot, tired eyes. Therefore, if you’re looking to avoid bags under
your eyes you should take it easy on the alcohol and drink no more than
one glass per day. It’s best if you drink lots of water instead. 5. Quit smoking Smoking dries out and weakens
your skin. In particular, it causes premature aging around the eyes. The
many chemicals found in cigarettes are toxic and cause irritation
around the eyes, which could result in dark circles and a wrinkled,
droopy appearance. 6. Cold Compress and Cucumber If you have swollen and puffy
eyes, try a cold compress. Not only will this help to reduce puffy eyes,
it can be very relaxing as well. You can do this by using chilled
spoons, cucumber slices. 7. Avoid That Sunshine Overdoing it in the sun can make
the skin around your eyes sag and wrinkle. Some sunscreen, a good pair
of UV-protective glasses, and a hat can do wonders to protect your face
from harmful rays, ultimately preventing the skin around the eyes from
darkening. 8. Get More Collagen into Your Diet Collage is the most abundant
protein in our bodies – it’s found in bones, muscles, tendons, and skin.
It helps to give our skin strength and elasticity, and helps replace
any dead skin cells. As we age, our body’s collagen production begins to
slow down, causing baggy eyes. Therefore, increasing collagen levels
can help your skin look firmer, increase smoothness, and help renew skin
cells. To increase your collagen intake, you can try adding chicken
broth to your diet or taking collagen supplements.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE
HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES. PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG- HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/ FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-
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