What Side Do You Sleep On?

All of us have our own positions where we fall asleep.

All of us have our own positions where we fall asleep.

All of us have our own positions where we fall asleep.

All of us have our own positions where we fall asleep. With some it’s on our backs, stomachs, sides or all of the above and then some. As human beings we can fall asleep in a variety of ways and none of them are technically wrong, although some are obviously recommended over others. Still, no matter how you fall asleep you will need pillows for additional support. Whether you need them for your head, back or sides, proper pillow support is vital towards getting the best night of sleep possible.

Not only does having the right pillows means that you can get a better night’s sleep, but also that you can wake up in the morning without the neck and back pain often associated with not having enough support during the night. For those who are interested in having a full night’s sleep without the pain or stiffness associated with the lack of support, everything starts with the way you fall asleep.

Getting the Right Type of Pillows

You will need to remember that it’s not really what the pillow is made of, but rather the support that it provides that is important. There are a great variety of pillows to choose from, but many of the best pillows are made from the following materials.

By choosing the pillow of the right firmness, you can then get the material you need for the most comfort. You will need to select the right firmness of pillow so that you can get the most support when you fall asleep.

The Different Positions of Falling Asleep

During the night, we toss and turn without waking up so it’s entirely possible that you can wind up on your stomach, back or sides during the night without knowing it. However, each of us has a particular position that we get into every night which essentially tells out body it’s time to go to sleep. Often, we may turn a few times before sleep comes, but usually we have an initial position that allows our minds to drift away as we fall asleep.

This means that for whatever position you assume when ready to fall asleep, you will need the proper support so that you can enjoy your slumber. This means having the right pillows and proper support that they provide. Naturally, your mattress needs to be the right type as well.

The following are the most common sleeping positions, the ones that you will need to know so that you can get the right pillows for the proper support.

Sleeping on Your Back

Sleeping on Your Back

Sleeping on Your Back

This is the most common position when falling asleep. Studies have shown that more people tend to fall asleep on their back than any other. There is no known reason as for why the back is more common than any other position. However it is quite comfortable and does allow the person to face the largest area of the room which may go back to caveman times.

However, sleeping on your back also means that your tongue slides down somewhat and increases the chances for snoring. If you sleep alone or do not snore, then you will want to place a firm pillow under your knees while having a medium-firm pillow under your head. The reason why you need a firm pillow under your knees is to take away the pressure off of your lower back.

When sleeping on your back, the spine gets out of its natural position which can lead to pain and stiffness in the morning. By placing a pillow under your knees, the upper legs are lifted somewhat and the spine once again returns to its natural position.

In addition, the pillow under your head is designed to allow the spine to assume its natural position as well, not to prop your head upwards. In this manner, your neck gets the proper support it needs without placing any additional stress. You should wake up feeling less stiffness and pain if the pillows are positioned properly.

Sleeping on Your Side

Sleeping on Your Side

Sleeping on Your Side

For those who sleep on their side, this is the position that most people will wind up in during the night. This position is the best for the spine as it allows it to keep its natural curves without putting any real pressure on the sides. Plus, sleeping on your side eliminates snoring for the most part unless you have a specific condition that causes this problem. You will want to place a firm pillow between your knees which takes away the pressure from your hips and lower back. The pillow between the knees separates your legs and puts them in a natural position that takes the stress off the hips and the lower back as well.

You will also need another pillow for the head to properly support the neck so that it is in a straight line with your body. This is important because if your head gets out of position, then there is additional stress on the neck muscles which can have you waking up with stiffness and soreness in the neck area. Having a “crick in the neck” is certainly not enjoyable and often takes several hours for it to go away without treatment.

One alternative to the separate pillows is investing in a body pillow. This is a very long pillow that you can place under your head and between your legs which allows for great support all night long. Plus, it can separate your shoulders as well which allows for even greater comfort.

Sleeping on Your Stomach

This is the least popular position as recommended by sleep experts, although invariably all of us have wound up on our stomachs during the night. Falling asleep on your stomach means your spine will be out of alignment unless you carefully position the pillows for maximum support. This will help ensure that you minimize the possibilities for neck and back stiffness and pain the next morning.

Start by placing a firm pillow under your hips or stomach which will reduce the stress on your back, particularly your lower back and neck area. You may not need a pillow for your head, but if you do then put it on the side so that you face the mattress and get the side support needed. Plus, by keeping your head downward it takes away stress on your neck area as well. If you have another pillow, use it just under the ankles for extra support for your spinal area.

Using the right pillows and understanding the position you fall asleep will help you get a better night’s rest without enduring the pain and stiffness in the morning. 

Leave A Comment