Sleeping is vital for our overall health and wellbeing. Generally
speaking, on average, an individual spends 25 years sleeping in his/her
lifetime. Sleep enables our body and mind to rest, regenerate, and
prepare for the new day. The recommended daily hours of sleep are 7 to
9; however, besides getting enough sleep, there is another aspect of
sleeping that also plays a crucial role, that is, the sleeping positions
we choose.
Different sleeping poses influence different aspects like the blood
pressure, sinuses, etc. Therefore, if you have a specific health
problem, you should also pay attention to the sleeping position you
choose. If you have some of the following health problems, you should
choose the adequate sleeping position:
Pain in the shoulders
In order to reduce pain in the shoulders, you should sleep on the
painless side with the legs slightly bend. You can also hug a pillow
near your chest and place another one between the knees.
Pain in the back
You should lie on the back and put a pillow under the knees and a rolled-up towel under the curve of the back.
Headaches
According to experts, some headaches are usually a result of a twisted
neck during sleep. If this is also the cause for your headache, you
should surround your head with pillows to prevent it from turning.
Problems with the sinuses
If your sinuses are inflamed, you should sleep with the head elevated in order to prevent mucus from pooling in the sinuses.
High blood pressure
According to a report by the Ehime University School of Medicine,
sleeping with the face down can significantly reduce the blood pressure.
PMS pain
Place a pillow under the knees to prevent the spine from arching.
Pain in the neck
If you provide additional support to the neck, the pain will
significantly reduce. So, roll a small towel and place it under the neck
or under your pillowcase.
Poor digestion
To improve your digestion, you should sleep on the left side because the
stomach is located on the left side and when you sleep like this, you
enable gravity to better the process of digestion.
Heartburn
If you suffer from heartburn, sleeping on the left side can be of great aid.
Important to note:
Always consult your physician regarding your health problem and your sleeping position before making changes.