Everything You Need To Know About Side Sleeping
Side sleeping can be topped by very little. Not only is it one of the best positions to sleep in, it’s also so incredibly cozy. Getting snuggled down with the blankets pulled up to your chin and settling into your mattress. Tuck those knees up into the fetal position and you really hit the sweet spot. But, just because it’s so natural doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to get even more comfy in this position.
Here’s all our top tricks and trips for side sleeping
Why is side sleeping so good for you?
Side sleeping is the best sleep position because it keeps your body very much in a proper and neutral position while you sleep. It’s the preferred sleep position for more than 60% of all adults, too.
Side sleeping lets your mattress curve and contour to your spine bend, hips and neck. If you sleep with your knees tucked up, the little arch in your back can actually relieve any soreness you do have. Snorers or those with breathing problems can find it easier to breathe deep while sleeping. Your pillow fits snuggly above your shoulder to support your neck. (That being said, using the wrong pillow can actually make your neck more sore but we’ll talk about that in a bit).
But there’s a whole other set of benefits to side sleeping; Side sleeping can actually impact your heart health.
Side sleeping and blood pressure
Sleeping on your side – left side, specifically – can help the blood flow to and from your heart. The blood flows into your heart on the right side, so laying on your right side can put pressure on those blood vessels. But sleeping on your left side can help increase blood flow back to your heart as it pumps through your body.
Side sleeping on the left is even recommended for pregnant women because babies push and squish the internal organs and put extra work on the heart. So left-side sleeping can ease some of this burden.
How to make sure your neck isn’t sore while side sleeping
If neck pain is stopping you from sleeping on your side, there’s a few things you can do to help.
Use the right pillow. Your pillow should be thick enough to keep your head up and spine neutral as you’re on your side. Too flat of a pillow will drop your head down and can kink your neck while you sleep. This is the first step to take if you’re waking up with a sore neck. The right pillow can make all the difference.
Use a medium-firm mattress. Something too soft will bend too much to your body, not providing you the support you need.
Put a pillow between your knees. Your neck is connected to everything else in your body – all the bones, ligaments, muscles and more. Putting a pillow between your knees keeps your hips aligned on top of each other and ensures that nothing in your body is twisting funny as you sleep.
Other sleep tips for the most cozy sleep
If having a comfortable and deep sleep is high on your wish-list, these tips can also help:
Keep your bed and bedroom clean: Clean sheets, an uncluttered room and dust-free air can do a lot to boost the comfortability of your sleep space. The environment you sleep in really does matter so take care of it.
Pay attention to your pre-sleep routine: Taking a break from screens at least 2 hours before bed, doing some stretching to relax your body and meditation to relax your mind can all help get you into the physical and mental space to sleep.
Build your sleep environment: A cool, dark room is the best environment to sleep in. Throw in a fan on low or a sound machine for a little bit of ambiance and you’ll be sleeping like a baby.
Get sleeping on your side!
So tonight, when you’re getting cozy and ready to sleep, tuck those knees up to your chest, lower the temperature of your room, settle in and get ready to sleep soundly knowing that side sleeping isn’t just comfortable but also good for your health.