Sleeping Positions: Advantages and Disadvantages

Sleep is one of the activities that any being can do. Whether we like it or not, we need to sleep at least 6-8 hours a day. This is specifically important so that we could relax, regenerate and heal our strained muscles, tired mind and overall body.
As we mature, we go through different stages in life. In our adolescent years and adulthood, our sleeping pattern will eventually change. Too little sleep can cause some negative effects like diabetes and dementia; too much of this can result to certain conditions like cardiovascular diseases and obesity.
Sleeping Positions
Sleeping in a certain position has its own advantages and disadvantages. This can also affect how much time we sleep and the body or neck pain that we can get. In this article, you’ll get to learn the different advantages and disadvantages that we can get from our sleeping positions.
Back Sleeping
Also known as the Savasana Pose posture, back sleeping is considered as the best sleeping position because it gives us a lot of benefits. But like other things, it also has its disadvantages.
Advantages:
• The spine in your back is well supported and relaxed all through the night which gives it a time to heal.
• Your neck won’t feel any pressure because it’s in its natural position.
• It can also give you a wrinkle-free face because your face is not compressed in any way.

Disadvantages:
• If you sleep in your back, there’s a big chance that you’ll have sleep apnea and would snore. That’s because when you sleep at your back, your tongue will collapse at the lower end, giving your windpipe some obstruction.
• If you’re pregnant, sleeping on your back gives pressure to your spine giving you some fainting episodes.
• Also, research shows that people that snore during their sleep tends to experience poor sleep.
Side Sleeping
This is considered as the most popular sleeping position because most people will go back to being in their fetal position, whether it’s in a straight position or a full curve.
Advantages:
• You’ll have a lower chance of getting any heartburn.
• It’s also the best position for pregnant women because it improves the circulation of your heart.
Disadvantages:
• When you sleep at only one side of your body, some of your organs may tend to get some strains like your stomach and lungs.
• You also have a high chance of feeling numbness and sharp needle pains in either of your arms because it restricts your blood flow.
Stomach Sleeping
Only a number of people sleep in this position because it’s considered as the most disadvantageous position. There’s little to no gain with this sleeping position
Advantage:
• The advantage known for sleeping in this position is that you won’t experience snoring or sleep apnea.
Disadvantage:
• Sleeping on your stomach makes your spine stretch out leaving it no time to relax which also results to back aches when you wake up.
• The position of your head is also placed at only one side which can cause stiffness and pain. If you’re used to sleep in your stomach, it’s advisable that you put a pillow under your stomach so that your back will raise and relax.