A doctor has warned there’s one sleep position that is the worst for your health as well as your night’s sleep
Sleep is vital for our bodies to rest and rejuvenate, but the way you snooze could mean the difference between springing out of bed or feeling like you’ve been steamrolled. Whether you’re a side sleeper, back snoozer, or a starfish spread-eagler, your sleeping stance is key to a good kip.
It affects everything from keeping your spine shipshape to snoring and even how well your tummy copes with dinner. With World Sleep Day on the horizon this Friday, March 14, Dr Tim Mercer, an NHS GP partner and trainer with Opera Beds, has flagged up the sleep styles that might be messing with both your health and your sleep.
He said: “The position in which you sleep can profoundly impact sleep quality and your health, so it’s crucial to identify a sleep position that not only promotes restful sleep but also contributes to your body’s overall function and condition.”
Actually, the doc has pinpointed one particular pose as the absolute pits: kipping on your front with one leg hitched up towards your chest.
Dr Mercer said: “This is probably the worst sleeping position due to the number of issues it can cause. Raising one leg while lying down causes the pelvis to shift, placing strain on the lower back and disrupting spinal alignment.
“Over time, this may contribute to stiffness or discomfort. An uneven hip position—where one side is elevated while the other remains flat—can create tension in the hip flexors and place uneven pressure on the pelvis.”
Sleeping on your front can be a real pain in the neck – quite literally. Keeping your head to the side for too long can overwork those neck muscles and might even give your nerves a bit of grief.
Dr Mercer said: “Sleeping on the stomach also compresses the chest, which can make deep breathing more difficult and limit oxygen intake. Furthermore, prolonged facial contact with the pillow may contribute to skin issues such as breakouts, wrinkles, and puffiness.”
But wait, it gets trickier if you’ve got heart worries. Those with ticker troubles are advised to steer clear of left-side snoozing.
Dr Mercer said: “Left-side sleeping can shift the position of your heart, increasing the pressure it experiences and changing the heart’s electrical activity.”
And it’s not just your heart that could take a hit; your brain could be at risk too. Apparently, sleeping on your left might up your chances of Alzheimer’s since experts think your brain does its best cleaning work when you’re lying on the right.
Now, for the golden nugget of sleeping wisdom – the creme de la crème of kip positions: the Zero-Gravity spot. This one’s a NASA special. It’s all about popping your head and legs above your heart to get that spine nice and neutral.
Don’t have a futuristic floaty bed? you could try propping your head and feet up with some pillows. That little lift is a game-changer for the airways, making sure you get plenty of oxygen as you slumber. It’s a godsend for anyone battling breathlessness when bedtime rolls around.
