Is It Bad to Sleep on Your Stomach?

Is It Bad to Sleep on Your Stomach?

Hello Everyone,

With the busy schedules and tiring work days, you will always look forward to getting in between the sheets and sleeping for as long as possible. But, many people will not pay attention to their sleep position provided they just get some sleep. In fact, a majority of people do not even realize or know the sleep position that they use often. However, your sleep position matters a lot and it will always determine the quality of rest that you get, and whether you wake up with neck or back pains or not.

When you start thinking about your sleep position, one of the questions that you are likely to have is whether it is bad to sleep on your stomach or not. Well, everyone seems to have a varying opinion on this but the truth is that it has both advantages and disadvantages. Also, there are some things that you can do to make sleeping on the stomach more comfortable and safe for you.

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#1 It Reduces Snoring and Acid Reflux

Sleeping on your stomach is one of the simplest remedies for snoring. And this is because by sleeping on the stomach you will prevent your tongue from falling back and blocking your throat, which is one of the main reasons why many people snore. Also, sleeping on the stomach makes it harder for acidic stomach content to find their way back to the esophagus which is what causes acid reflux.

#2 It can Causes Strain on the Spine

Many people that prefer to sleep in their stomach will have some kind of pain. Most of the time this pain will manifest around the neck, back, and joints. According to various research findings, this pain is a result of putting unnecessary pressure on your spine. And it is because sleeping on the stomach puts most of the weight in the middle section of the body and hence making it hard to maintain a natural spine alignment as you sleep.

#3 It Causes Neck Pain

Sleeping on the stomach will also lead to neck problems. Since you still need to breathe when sleeping on the stomach, you will always end up turning the head to one side, and this cases your neck to twist which results to an unnatural alignment of the spine and head, and this is what cause the neck pains. And the worst thing about this problem is that you will hardly notice it on the first few nights but it will become evident over time.

#4 How to Sleep on Your Stomach Safely

While sleeping on the stomach might not always be a good idea, it is still possible to make it safe and comfortable for you by following the three tips below.

• Always use a thin pillow if you have one or avoid using one at all. With the best thin pillow for stomach sleepers, the less angled your neck and head will be, and hence the more comfortable the sleep.
• A slightly firmer mattress or one that is designed for front sleepers is always the best as it prevents your body from sinking in and causing an unnatural alignment.
• Placing a pillow under your pelvis is also helpful as it keeps the back in a more neutral position to take pressure off the spine.
• Also, do some stretches for a few minutes every morning to restore your body back to alignment and also strengthen the muscles that support your body when sleeping on your stomach.

Conclusion

Your sleep potion not only affects the sleep quality that you get but also determines how long you sleep and whether you end up with aches all over the body. And while sleeping on the stomach can have several shortcomings, it is still possible to make it safe and more comfortable by using a thin pillow. But even as you sleep on the stomach, make sure to change your sleep position often enough throughout the night.