The day is over, the pajamas are put on. Go to bed and give your body the rest it deserves. Most of the time, you unconsciously settle into the position that seems most comfortable.
But that’s a mistake you shouldn’t make. The back in particular quickly suffers from poor posture – and this also occurs when sleeping.
Acquiring a new position permanently is not easy, but it is worth it. Experts recommend being patient for three to four weeks – then the new sleeping position will be internalized so that you feel comfortable and can sleep through the night in a relaxed manner.
Supine position – the best sleeping position for your health
By far the healthiest sleeping position is on your back. If the mattress is hard enough (should not be too soft), the body can relax best at night. During the day, the spine is usually very curved from sitting a lot and not moving much. When lying on your back, the S-shape is automatically relieved and straightened – so be sure to choose a flat pillow. In the long term, thanks to lying on our backs, we benefit from less tension and pain and an open, upright posture.
Side position – high strain on the shoulders
Almost 70 percent of all people sleep on their sides. The popular sleeping position is not healthy at all in the long term. The one-sided strain causes nerves and blood vessels in the arm to be pinched during sleep.
The strain often leads to pain, especially in the shoulder area. Knees, hips and neck can also be affected by lying on your side.
Embryo position – best avoided
The embryo position is even more fatal. When modifying the side position, the knees are also pulled up and the head is rolled towards the chest. The spine is strongly curved. Why is this position so comfortable for many people?
Because we adopt exactly the same attitude that we have during the day at our office job. Due to the constant round bending and bent legs, the muscles in the stomach and chest shorten. The consequences: a hunched back, a hollow back and a bruised chest.
Lying on your stomach – tension in the neck is inevitable
In general, lying on your stomach, similar to sleeping on your back, is useful to counteract a strong S-shape of the spine. However, in this position the neck loses strength.
Long-term overstretching of the neck muscles often results in tension. If you like to sleep on your stomach, you should definitely make sure that the pillow is not too high. It’s best not to lie on a pillow.