Choosing a Good Sleeping Position for Health

Know that your favorite sleeping position is not necessarily a good sleeping position for health. Some health conditions risk getting worse if someone sleeps in an inappropriate position. In general, a person's sleeping position is on his back, stomach, or lying on his side. If your sleeping position causes discomfort or pain when you wake up, then you are advised to change the sleeping position. If you keep sleeping in the wrong position, it is feared that it can damage your health. A good sleeping position can be adjusted to one's health condition.

Good Sleep Position According to Conditions

Here are some good sleep positions based on one's condition:

• Sleeping on his stomach

One thing to consider when choosing a sleeping position is how easily you breathe. Sleeping on his stomach is suitable for those of you who snore frequently during sleep, not suffering from neck pain or back pain. But also note the loss of sleep in this position. Prone position can add pressure on the joints and muscles of the neck, also on the nerves. As a result, you can often experience pain, numbness, or tingling. This is mainly due to the position of the neck which is only facing one side for hours. In addition, sleeping on your stomach is less suitable for those who want to avoid facial wrinkles and maintain breast shape. But if you can only sleep in the prone position, it is advisable to put a pillow to support the forehead, and position the face or head facing down, toward the mattress, not facing left or right, so that the airway opens smoothly.

• Sleeping position sideways

Sleep also affects brain health. During sleep, the process of removing waste from the brain is thought to be more optimal than when it is awake. Related to this, there is a sleeping position that is considered the best for supporting the disposal of waste from the brain. Sleeping position supported by the ribs, aka sleeping in a sideways position, is thought to be able to further optimize the process of brain waste disposal during sleep, as well as reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Sideways sleeping position is considered a good position to reduce snoring or snoring during sleep. Side-sleeping is also highly recommended for pregnant women, and is considered good for those who suffer from acid reflux disease or sleep apnea. However, this sleeping position is not recommended for those who experience neck pain and back pain. Unfortunately the sideways sleeping position has several negative sides, which can make sagging breasts and cause premature wrinkles on the face. Sleeping on your side also makes breathing limited through the diaphragm.

• Supine sleeping position

Recumbent sleeping position is a good choice of sleeping position for most people. Sleeping on your back allows your head, neck and spine to rest in a neutral position. Thus, there is no extra pressure on the body and does not cause pain in certain body parts. This sleeping position can also prevent stomach acid disease, but make sure the pillow you use supports your head well. Supine sleeping position is considered a good sleep position because it can prevent wrinkles on the face. This makes sense considering that no one presses on the face while sleeping in this position. However, sleep on your back is not recommended for people who snore during sleep and sufferers of sleep apnea.

Sleeping Position for Babies and Pregnant Women

For babies, the supine position is a good sleeping position and is recommended, for safety reasons. Sleeping on his stomach or side position is considered less safe for babies, because it allows interference with their breathing. Infants who sleep on their side can change to prone position, thereby increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For pregnant women, the generally recommended sleeping position is the sideways position to the left. This position is said to be good for pregnant women because it can accelerate blood flow to the placenta and the baby in the womb. However, if you feel uncomfortable while sleeping in this position, pregnant women can choose another position that feels most comfortable. After knowing the advantages and disadvantages of sleeping position above, choose the sleeping position that is best for your health.