Some of us like to sleep on our backs, others on our sides or stomachs. All of us have awakened in the morning with a stiff neck or back. We usually chalk it up to "sleeping in the wrong position". But, more seriously, could your preferred sleep position also be giving you wrinkles and saggy breasts? Is there a best sleep position for our health and looks? According to a recent study published in a national magazine, there is.
Stomach Sleeping
Sleeping on your stomach may be the worst position, especially if you want to avoid neck pain and wrinkles. When you sleep on your stomach, you have to keep your neck turned. If you don't move a lot in the night, your head stays in one position, possibly for hours at a time. That puts pressure on the joints and nerves in your neck and can give you neck pain the next morning. If you absolutely must sleep in this position, use a very thin pillow or none at all to minimize the pressure on your neck muscles.
There are other down sides to sleeping on your stomach. Burying your face in a pillow can also cause you to get wrinkles, many dermatologists say. If you absolutely must sleep in this position, invest in an anti-wrinkle pillow. These pillows are designed to minimize the pull and friction caused by normal pillows. Satin pillow cases also help to minimize wrinkles.
The Fetal Position
Contorting your body into a tight ball is not the best for your back and joints and may leave you with back and neck pain in the morning. Furthermore, the fetal position can restrict deep breathing, which is necessary for a good night's sleep.
Side Sleeping
Side sleeping may be the most common sleep positions and is better than stomach sleeping in many ways. It can help to prevent neck and back pain. It is also better for sufferers of acid reflux, but it is still bad for your skin and breasts. You are still compressing your face in your pillow, which can cause lines on your face that will eventually become wrinkles. Again, an anti-wrinkle pillow or satin pillow case can ease the wear and tear on your skin if you are a side sleeper.
Your face is not the only part of your body that suffers when you sleep on your side. Your breasts can also be negatively affected when you sleep in this position. Since your breasts are not supported, they are dangling downwards. This can stretch the ligaments in your chest, contributing to breast sag.
Back Sleeping—The Best Position
Studies have shown that sleeping on your back is best overall. People that sleep on their backs have less neck and back pain because the head, neck, and spine are in a neutral position; you are not forcing your back to curve in any way that might contribute to back pain. Another benefit is that people with acid reflux will find it drastically reduced, as the head is elevated with the stomach and esophagus below so that the acid cannot come back up.
Similarly, back sleeping helps in the anti-wrinkle fight. This is because you aren't smushing anything against your face. By sleeping on your back, you won't have to worry about using an anti-wrinkle pillow or a satin pillow case; one puffy pillow that supports your head and neck without elevating it too much is sufficient.
Furthermore, sleeping on your back reduces breast sagging. Your breasts are fully supported during the night, not flopping and stretching as they are in the fetal and side positions.
So, if you want less neck and back pain, reduced acid reflux, smoother skin, and perkier breasts, try sleeping on your back tonight.
