“Crazy sex positions you should try,” “sex positions for pillow princesses,” — we get it. There are a lot of ways to have mind-blowing sex. But what about the positions in the bedroom we’re really dying to know about? That’s right, I’m talking about the best positions for sleep.
I’ve always had a tumultuous relationship with my sleep. I have nights where I can’t fall asleep, and then others where I find myself waking up every hour. And I’ve always had a strong suspicion that it had a lot to do with how I fall asleep — AKA, the truly odd shapes I contort my body into in bed.
Turns out my suspicions were correct because Janet Loehrke of USA TODAY published an article describing how certain sleeping positions can improve the quality of your sleep. According to Loehrke, there isn’t a singular way to sleep that’s just one-size-fits-all. Instead, there are three key positions that can benefit different people depending on what sorts of sleep concerns they may have. And unfortunately the way I’ve been sleeping isn’t one of them.
My favorite way to sleep is to sleep on my stomach because nothing makes me feel more snuggled up than curling up into a ball — which is funny because apparently this is the least common sleep position. Loehrke reports that this can be a harmful way to sleep because it puts a lot of strain on the neck and spine and can increase the risk of aches and pains. Dr. Sham Singh, sleep expert and psychiatrist, agrees.
“Sleeping on one’s stomach, though less frequently recommended, may help chronic snorers because it decreases obstruction of the airways,” Dr. Singh tells Betches. “Unfortunately, these often place heavy stress on either the cervical spine or lumbar region and can easily cause chronic pain or stiffness after some time.”
So if you, like me, are looking to get a better night’s sleep, you might want to try one of these:
Side Sleeping
Side sleeping is the most common sleeping position. It’s when you literally sleep on your side. This helps with your spinal alignment, aids in digestion and heart health, and can even reduce snoring and any other symptoms of sleep apnea. But what’s really interesting is that the side you sleep on can benefit different things. If you sleep on your left side, you can improve your blood flow, reduce acid reflux, and even relieve strain on your internal organs.
“For pregnant people, sleeping on the left side increases blood flow to the placenta and reduces strain on large veins,” Dr. Singh says. Sleeping on your right side, on the other hand (literally) is recommended for people who have cardiac issues.
“Sleeping on one’s side can sometimes cause pressure points or compressed nerves, such as in the arms or shoulders, so sleeping on a supportive mattress and using a pillow can help to alleviate these problems,” Dr. Singh adds.
Back Sleeping
Sleeping beauty, this one’s for you. If you’re normal and sleep on your back, you’re doing your spine a huge favor. Sleeping in this position can relieve chronic neck and back pain and can even reduce any nasal congestion you have because of the way it expands your diaphragm.
“This position may be of particular benefit if someone suffers from a musculoskeletal problem or chronic pain because it really puts minimal pressure on the joints,” Dr. Singh says. You do want to be careful though because sleeping on your back means that gravity is in full play, so snoring and sleep apnea symptoms might be an issue.
Fetal Sleeping
Fetal position isn’t just for crying, it’s great for sleep too. When you sleep in this position, you’re taking a lot of pressure on your spine often resulting in relieving any back pain you might have. Plus, it’s just a super cozy and comforting way to sleep.
