I've heard before that you should always sleep on your back, no matter what. I've also heard that this is a very poor idea, because it's not good for the back, and that you should sleep on your right side (sleeping on the left can damage the heart). And I've heard that sleeping on one's stomach is the worst thing a person can do. Can someone please clear this up- which position should a person sleep in to insure optimum health and well-being? And does anyone have any thoughts on pillows (is it better to sleep with or without one)?
Thanks!
2006-11-14 08:39:07 · 8 answers · asked by Nicole 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
You are supposed to sleep on your back. It helps keep your natural alignment.
Stomach sleeping is bad because when you turn your head it throws off the curveture of your spine. Same with side sleeping.
2006-11-14 08:46:43 · answer #1 · answered by billiejoe4me 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋
i sleep on my right side just because i find it the most comfortable. i would think you should not sleep on your stomach because it doesnt seem like you could get adequete air and it squishes everythin. but i dont think it really matters. and a pillow is a good idea to have because that way your head is not at a weird angle if you are sleeping in on a side. you probably dont realize it, but you turn in your sleep so you'll never know.
2006-11-14 08:47:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure sleeping on your back is best. I don't think this can be too uncomfortable, and if you sleep on your side, your shoulders might start to hurt and you will have other pains. It is also comfortable to sleep with a pillow between your legs. Doctors tell this to pregnant women, but I find it helps to feel more comfortable and relaxed.
2006-11-14 09:04:40 · answer #3 · answered by lauren_a_knight 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Nicole,
First of all I am a 61 year old Male with a conditon known as sleep apnea. Now I have done a lot of research on sleep problems and helped many people. It comes down to this ... each position has some good points and some not so good. What is important is your comfort and your QUALITY of sleep! If you are not getting quality sleep the most comfortable for you, not ME or a neighbor then you blow the whole purpose of sleep!
I will tell you this if you think that you are not getting the type of sleep that you should there are sleep clinics where you can be checked out overnight!
There are six levels of sleep our brain only gets to sleep on level six called REM for rapid eye movement our eyes dart around during this time. Our body goes on automatic during this time and leaves our main brain free to unwind! Now I am going to give you Three things that interfere with this condition! If say we grit our teeth then the stimilus of this reaches our brain and it drops out of REM! Next say our leg twitches like in RLS restless leg syndrom the nerve signals of the movement go to the brain and cause it to drop out of REM! Now say that we sleep on our back and the air is blocked off by our tongue or tonsils or our lungs just fail to auto breath now the brain sences the absence of oxygen and drops out of REM and signals the lungs to gasp for air! Then eventually goes back to REM. This is called Sleep Apnea and during the night I was being tested I stopped breathing 20 times! See our body can sleep for 15 hours but our poor brain might not be getting any rest at all!
The neat thing is that it is easily treated with a little machine called a CPAP which blows air down the airway and keeps it open! I saw one on TV today.... the new host of "The View " Rosie demonstrated her CPAP machine on the show this morning! She has sleep apnea.
Mine really helped me and I have actually lost 57 pounds just from breathing air!
Main thing is sleep how Nicole sleeps best! And if you have sleep problems do get medical help right away. Sleep apnea does actually kill under certain rare conditions.
Sweet Dreams
APS
2006-11-15 11:05:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 1⤋
actually, right now i am pregnant, and i was told to sleep on my left side as much as possible because it lets more blood flow to the baby. but i think that if someone is not pregnant, it is best to sleep on their right side.
2006-11-14 08:47:28 · answer #5 · answered by hotty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sleep in the fetal position, and im a groan man, Thats how babies sleep in the womb so it cant be bad
2006-11-14 08:47:28 · answer #6 · answered by emanon1999 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
sleep in cabbage position- check out the web
2006-11-14 08:47:33 · answer #7 · answered by hey lili 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right and Left but to tell you the truth any position is good for sleep as long as you don't sleep alone..☺
2006-11-14 08:47:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋