Everyone has their preferred sleeping position…
But, have you ever considered the impact your chosen sleeping position may be having on your health? Depending on whether you sleep on your back, stomach or sides, the position you catch your zzzs in can actually lead to some niggly health issues.
Side and stomach sleeping can lead to wrinkles…
That’s right – sleeping with your face squished against your pillow can lead to wrinkles! When your face comes into contact with cotton pillowcases, it can create deep lines in your cheeks and forehead. And, the repeated pressure can actually lead to the breakdown of collagen – the protein which keeps your skin supple and soft. To prevent this from happening, try sleeping on your back or give a silk pillowcase a go, which can help reduce the likelihood of developing wrinkles.
Stomach sleeping can affect your spine…
While you might find sleeping on your stomach super comfy, it’s not doing your neck or spine any favours. When you sleep on your tum, your head is turned to the side in order to breathe, which strains your neck and puts your spine out of alignment. While this might not seem like an issue now, it can actually lead to permanent neck problems if the sleeping position is repeated night after night.
Sleeping on your right side can exacerbate symptoms of acid reflux…
If you suffer from acid reflux or GERD, it’s advised that you only sleep on your left side. Avoid sleeping on your right side, as this causes the lower esophageal sphincter – the ring of muscle at the base of the oesophagus – to relax, which encourages reflux. And, sleeping on your back is also a no-no, as the pressure on your stomach can encourage acid to come up into your oesophagus.
Sleeping on your side can lead to puffy eyes…
Yep, those puffy eyes could be related to how you sleep! Fluid retention is often the culprit when it comes to puffy eyes and this can be caused by sleeping on your side or stomach, as the fluid builds up. To avoid this, sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated – this allows fluid to drain from your face so you can say goodbye to puffy eyes!
So, which sleeping is best for your overall health?
Unsurprisingly, there are A LOT of different answers to this question, but many experts agree that either sleeping on your back or your side is the best for overall health. But, it really all depends on what is best for you and your health.If you’re a chronic snorer, for example, then sleeping on your back is probably not ideal as this position can make it worse! Our advice? Listen to your body and it’ll let you know the best sleep position for you.
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