We all live busy lives chasing our goals and dreams but at the end of the day, we all crash in bed looking for that relaxation bliss to charge our batteries.
Sleep is a chance to put our frantic lives on pause and allow our body and brain to recover, so you shouldn’t ignore it. Even more, if you have children, you should teach them the value of a good night sleep.
But, before you nod your head in agreement, I have to tell you that not everyone knows how to sleep. It’s not enough to simply crash into bed in the evening and hope for sweet dreams; high-quality sleep is an art and requires several conditions in order to happen.
The Mattress
If you wake up sore and with back pain every morning, this indicates mattress problems. Usually, the problem is an incompatibility between your sleeping position and the way the mattress was built, since not all sleeping surfaces are designed to be universal.
Some brands are known for creating leading side sleeping mattresses while others feature a surface for people who prefer sleeping on their back or stomach. Still, when it comes to choosing a mattress, things are not as easy because we are not always sleeping in the same position. Even more, children tend to change their sleeping style from one night to another. So how do you know which mattress to choose according to your position?
Well, as an adult, you can train your body to maintain a certain position while sleeping – it’s not a guaranteed success but many people managed to change their sleeping habits (this improved the quality of sleep and led to a more fulfilling lifestyle). You can also try to teach your kids into choosing a more rewarding sleeping position by starting at an early age.
Best Sleeping Positions
We tend to sleep in a wide range of positions but most of them are variations of three basic ones:
• Sleeping on the side
• Sleeping on the back
• Sleeping on the stomach
Side Sleepers
Over 40% of the world population favors this position (also known as the fetal position) and most modern mattresses are designed to accommodate it. However, the position needs some adjustments in order to keep the spine straight during slumber. Specialists recommend using a pillow in between the knees in order to keep the upper leg in alignment and a special pillow that supports the neck and cradles the shoulders.
It is also best if you sleep on your right side because sleeping on the left puts stress on some of your vital organs such as the liver, lungs, and stomach. Sleeping on the right side also helps the lymphatic drain and keeps the blood flowing without restrictions.
Back Sleepers
This one has several variations as well but the basic position has you sleeping on your back. Also known as the king position, back sleepers have one of the healthiest possible positions because the back is supported and the spine is straight.
You should still find a pillow to accommodate the neck, head, and shoulders, but it’s easier to get it.
The main con for back sleepers is the snoring – because your jaw is unsupported during the night, your mouth may open, and your throat may get hindered in some fashion. Snoring is not only unpleasant for the partner; it’s also disturbing for your own quality of sleep.
Stomach Sleepers
This position comes with most problems for the spine, but it is good for the digestive tract as the internal organs get massaged and stimulated during sleep. However, if you don’t have the correct pillow and mattress, your neck, shoulders, and lower back may suffer because of the position. So, if you constantly wake up with back pain, consider making a change in your sleeping habits.
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post
This is a very interesting post. I am hoping to get a new mattress this year, even though ours is only three years old. I think having my husband and myself and normally 2 little children has taken in toll. I will take this information into account when choosing a new mattress.
Thanks for sharing.
Cherie || My Mama Musings