Is it okay to sleep on your stomach? It depends on a few factors.
There are numerous positions in which people prefer to sleep. However, sleeping positions don’t just impact your comfort but can affect your overall health long-term. If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, you have selected one of the most unnatural positions to sleep in. Sleeping on your stomach can put you at risk for health problems, but there are ways you can create a better sleep environment for your body and your health. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of this sleeping position.
The Impact On Your Neck and Spine
Sleeping on your stomach applies pressure to your neck and back. Because most of your weight is in the middle of your body, your spine ends up in an unnatural position, cutting off blood flow to other parts of your body. Since you have to breathe, you need to sleep on your stomach with your neck turned to one side. This can result in neck pain and put additional strain on your spine. Finally, because the spine’s nerves are connected to the rest of the body, you may end up with whole-body pain.
Pain and Sleep
When you’re sleeping, you may not realize that you are in pain. However, this pain may cause you to toss and turn throughout the night. Sleep deprivation then increases your susceptibility to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression.
Pregnant Women Sleeping On Their Stomach
Women late in their pregnancy should not be sleeping on their stomachs, but it is also not recommended early in the pregnancy. The pregnancy adds weight to the middle of your body, which makes it more likely that your spine will be affected.
This position can also put pressure on the baby, which can cause developmental issues. The best way for pregnant women to sleep is on their left sides in a fetal position. This increases good blood flow, which results in optimum levels of oxygen for the women and baby.
What If You Need to Sleep On Your Stomach?
If you have trouble sleeping in another position or are physically unable to, there are a few things you can do to get a good night’s sleep while on your stomach. These include:
- Place a pillow under your pelvis to even out the angle of your spine
- Get rid of the pillow for your head or choose a very thin one
- Buy a firm mattress that helps your body be less affected by sleeping on your stomach
Finally, stretching when you wake up can help put your body back in alignment and strengthen your muscles.
Are There Benefits to Sleeping On Your Stomach?
There are a few benefits of sleeping on your stomach. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you can improve your condition when you sleep on your stomach. Additionally, acid reflux and heartburn sufferers often suffer less when they sleep this way. You are also less likely to snore when you sleep on your stomach.
If you’re going to continue sleeping on your stomach, make sure you do what you can to keep your body in proper alignment and comfortable throughout the night.
Sleep Well With A Mattress From All American Mattress
At All American Mattress, we have the expertise and great prices to help you choose the perfect pillows and foam mattress for your bedroom. We have mattresses and bed frames available made from a variety of materials to suit your needs, whatever they are. Stop by our showroom, visit us online, or give us a call at (410) 451-9006 to see how we can get your toddler sleeping through the night. We offer brand names at affordable prices, and we will always work hard to keep your whole family comfortable. For more mattress shopping tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: sleep health, Sleep Tips, sleeping on your stomach, sleeping positions