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    Home / Body & Health / Women's health / This is the best position to sleep in, according to the National Sleep Foundation

    This is the best position to sleep in, according to the National Sleep Foundation

    30 Oct 2020 3:36 PM | Posted by
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    bh's Ruby Cotton
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    There’s no feeling quite like taking a load off and climbing into bed after a long day on your feet. However, if your sleeping position of choice looks something like a twisted pretzel which requires an hour of painful readjusting each morning, then we think this latest study could do with your attention.

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    RELATED: Natural ways to get a better sleep

    The National Sleep Foundation has just revealed the best position to relieve pressure on the body, and ensure the neck and back are correctly aligned. And in what we predict might be an unpopular winner, sleeping on your back has been ranked at number one. 

    BUT, for the anti-back sleepers (us included), before you sacrifice your zzz’s in a desperate attempt to lighten the load on your spine, James Rowley, chief of pulmonary and critical care and sleep medicine explains to WhoWhatWear that "individuals should sleep in the position that is most comfortable for them and allows them the best night of sleep," adding that, "for some that might be on their back, for others on their side”. 

    However, while back sleeping may serve health benefits to some, it can also worsen pre-existing conditions for others. 

    For those who suffer from sleep apnea or are working to keep their snoring to a minimum, positions other than the back are going to be the most beneficial in making improvements.

    Before we over-complicate arguably the most important part of our routine, our best advice is to sleep in whatever position you can actually guarantee a good night's rest in. Simple.

    Main image credit: Getty

    What position do you sleep in? And how do you find it?

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    62 Member Comments

    Petal 8 Apr 2021 7:03 AM

    I was a side sleeper my entire life until I developed a health condition a few years ago which necessitated me to sleep on my back. Recently, I've been trying to get my body used to sleeping on my side again.

    Maryam Naeem 21 Jan 2021 12:49 AM

    I am a side sleeper. sleeping on back makes me uncomfortable and I can't sleep properly.

    perthchick 18 Jan 2021 1:49 PM

    Who would have thought! (insert sarcasm). I am a back sleeper, when getting to sleep but wake up on my stomach. I've been that way since childhood.

    aoperez 14 Jan 2021 10:44 PM

    I find it hard to sleep in any other position except my side - I have to be exhausted to sleep on my back.

    Erin837 14 Jan 2021 8:26 PM

    Might have to try sleeping on my back....I'm a side sleeper who tosses and turns all night long sigh

    Beautyguru101 11 Jan 2021 3:34 PM

    I’m a side sleeper but always thought it was best to sleep on you back, lol!

    Sootyhere 4 Jan 2021 6:15 PM

    Side sleeper and I sleep well.

    RINNY 11 Dec 2020 6:00 PM

    I'm a side sleeper unless I'm really sleepy and then I kinda lay on my front with my arm above my head and it sends me off to sleep straight away. I wish someone could make a way for it to be easier to sleep on planes. That's a skill I'm yet to master.

    S-P 8 Dec 2020 9:07 PM

    I'm a side sleeper.

    nehatalwar 8 Dec 2020 3:58 PM

    I always sleep on my side..It makes me sound sleep.

    Jacinta89 20 Nov 2020 8:20 PM

    I prefer side sleeping, but feel I need a bigger bed cause I like to spread out

    emagic 16 Nov 2020 1:16 PM

    I sleep mainly on my stomach but need side and back for variation to make me more comfortable. I find on back there's pressure and not as comfortable

    Maryam Naeem 12 Nov 2020 7:46 PM

    I always sleep on the left side. this suits me and I sleep better this way.

    Simone 12 Nov 2020 1:44 PM

    I’m a side sleeper... Thanks for an insightful article.

    fiji172 11 Nov 2020 12:31 PM

    I am definitely a side sleeper but it takes me ages to get off to sleep and keep changing sides - good advice

    Marclaire 10 Nov 2020 11:51 AM

    I usually like to sleep on my left side but sometimes sleep on my stomach.

    Omyara 9 Nov 2020 9:01 PM

    Left side is my favorite.

    MaryJane 9 Nov 2020 5:13 PM

    Stomach sleeper, tied back, hurts my neck, probably from all the years of sleeping on my stomach. Although occasionally i side sleep.

    AliceJaneInNewcastle 8 Nov 2020 11:20 AM

    How I sleep depends entirely on what parts of me are hurting at the time.

    When I'm having trouble with lower back pain, sleeping on my back with a pillow under my knees is the only way that I can get to sleep. Then after about 5 hours, I wake up, pull out the pillow and go back to sleep on my side.

    I'm currently having trouble with one hip. I can't get comfortable on my back, and have to go back and forth between the two sides until I can get comfortable enough to sleep.

    NellAdams 7 Nov 2020 11:12 PM

    I have been trying so hard to learn to sleep on my back, but it's so difficult. I've had to twice in my life after surgeries but it somehow never sticks.

    Shop A Everyday 7 Nov 2020 5:06 PM

    i wake up during the night a lot i ike to sleep on my side

    Sally10 4 Nov 2020 5:54 PM

    I'm not a good sleeper in any position! I toss and turn all night, it doesn't matter how tired I am, I wake up frequently. :(

    sootyblack_14 4 Nov 2020 12:56 PM

    I do that anyway... Feels right for me...

    Susmat 4 Nov 2020 11:58 AM

    No way I could sleep or even lie on my back for very long

    Angage 4 Nov 2020 10:39 AM

    I am side sleeper.But change the sides during the night.

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