WHAT ARE THE BEST SLEEP POSITIONS TO HELP GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP?

Getting comfortable in bed can sometimes be a struggle.

While we often blame our mattresses, light or noise for our inability to nod off, there’s one area that deserves more attention – the position we are in when attempting to fall asleep.

Not only can finding the right position help with aches and pains, but it can also improve snoring habits, help improve acid reflux and heartburn, and benefit your posture.

TEMPUR takes a look at the best positions for a great night’s sleep.

HOW DOES A CERTAIN POSITION AFFECT OUR SLEEP?

The support our body gets when we sleep depends on the position we sleep in. Even if we begin our sleep comfortably, in the night this may change.

If a part of our body is obstructed, overly exerted, or is bearing a lot of weight, it can lead to extra stress. Because of this, we may have a poor sleep or problems could arise in the morning.

So, it is important to know which positions to avoid and which ones to sleep in.

NECK ACHE: BEST AND WORST SLEEPING POSITIONS

Some people are stomach sleepers, naturally placing their arms under the pillow and twisting their neck. However, this isn’t a great position if you are susceptible to waking up with aches and pains during the night or in the morning.

If we sleep with our neck bent, it means our shoulders and neck are forced to support a lot of our weight.

This overuse of the neck muscles can mean we wake up aching from overworking to support our bodies in the night.

So, if you struggle with neck pain, a position that often helps is to sleep on your back, placing a pillow under each arm so that the pillows take some strain off of the neck.

Made from specially developed micro-cushions, TEMPUR’s ‘cloud pillow’ is ideal for ensuring that you get the support that you need. The pillow achieves the perfect balance between softness and support, meaning your neck won’t be under strain when using the pillow.

SNORING: BEST AND WORST POSITIONS

Snoring seems to be more severe when lying on your back. This is because you often breathe through your mouth during sleep, rather than through your nose.

Also, the tongue can often fall to the back of the throat, blocking the airway. This obstruction causes the sound of snoring, as the tissue of the throat vibrates due to restricted airflow.

A better position to sleep in if you struggle with snoring is to sleep on your side. This can prevent the tongue from falling back and also means the mouth isn’t as mobile.

ACID REFLUX/HEARTBURN: BEST AND WORST POSITIONS

Again, the side position is a great one for reducing acid reflux, especially when sleeping on the left side as this stops the muscles from relaxing as much as they would on the right side.

When your muscles relax, acid can slip into the oesophagus more easily, leading to heartburn or acid reflux.

Avoid sleeping on your back, as the pressure on your stomach can help drive acid into your oesophagus.