Is sleeping on your stomach bad for you? Yes and no; while sleeping in a prone position reduces snoring, sleep apnea, and acid reflux, you are becoming prone to back strain, nerve pain, and wrinkles.
There are several types of sleeping positions; one of the most unique is sleeping on your stomach or in a prone position. It is sleeping flat on the chest, the head is faced either at the left side or the right, and the whole body touches the mattress. People who sleep in this position switches from time to time into different stomach sleeping position – free fall, running man, and the skydiver.
Although sleeping in this position helps reduce snoring, acid reflux, and sleep apnea, the drawbacks are significant. Sleeping on your stomach can cause the following:
- Neck problem
- Back strain
- Stiffness of the neck and shoulder
- Nerve pain
- Wrinkles
Even so, this does not mean that you can’t sleep on your stomach – first of all, it is your comfortable way of getting quality sleep. Now to help you wake up feeling happy and refreshed even sleeping in a prone position, here are a few tips to avoid the potential complications of sleeping on your stomach:
#1: Get the right mattress for you
Some mattresses can help you avoid the potential complications of sleeping in a prone position. Memory foam mattresses or hybrid mattresses are as an example of the best mattress for stomach sleepers.
Since stomach sleepers tend to put more weight or pressure on the chest and midsection, most typical mattresses would tend to pushback, leaving you a chest, neck, and back strain. Memory foam mattresses provide optimal support since the foam conforms to the shape of the body. It conforms to the shape of the chest and the stomach while it supports your midsection. However, memory foams aren’t ideal for warm sleepers. For this reason, a hybrid mattress is one good option to consider.
Hybrid mattresses are multi-layered beds – a combination of either two or three other types of mattresses such as memory foam, innerspring, latex, and or cooling gel. Hybrid mattresses are breathable, cool, provide better support, and more comfortable.
The memory foam in hybrid mattresses supports the midsection and conforms to the shape of the body, while the innerspring promotes air circulation, which makes it cool and relaxing to sleep. Some hybrid mattresses are infused with cooling gel. If you check the best online mattresses today, you will find quality-made hybrid mattresses that are highly recommended today.
#2: Use a pillow under your pelvis
Placing a pillow under your pelvis or your chest part will keep your back in a neutral position and lifting off the pressure from your spine. Also, you may use a longer pillow where you can hug while sleeping on your stomach.
You may also invest in some pillows that are made for stomach sleepers; these pillows are a big help.
#3: Shift your position, whenever possible
You may sleep on your stomach but try to shift your position, now and then. By doing so, you are making your body familiarize other sleeping positions.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right position to acquire quality sleep is a tough task for most sleepers. Sleeping on your stomach may be the best position it can cause harm than help.
However, if you can’t get out of this sleeping habit, look for ways to alleviate potential complications by buying the right mattress for you, but first, you need to get more details about the best mattress today. Also, sleep with a pillow under your pelvis, try to shift your sleeping position, and lastly, don’t forget to stretch out those muscular strains after sleeping the whole night lying on your stomach.