What type of sleep is best?

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1. Lie on your back

Lying on your back is the best sleeping position, bringing many health benefits, but in reality, this is not the position where we sleep the most. This is a sleeping pattern that keeps the back straight, the head, neck and spine relaxed in a comfortable position, not under much pressure. Therefore, this pose not only protects the spine, but also helps relieve hip and knee pain.
What's more, sleeping on your back also keeps your skin looking young, by being protected from wrinkles caused by pillows or gravity.
On the other hand, sleeping on your back may not be suitable for people with obesity, snoring or sleep apnea. Because when we sleep on our back, our airways are prone to narrowing. This pose is also not suitable for those who are suffering from back pain.

2. Sleeping on one side

Sleeping on your side is a pretty good position. This pose relieves symptoms of back pain, neck fatigue, and hand fatigue by reducing direct pressure on the back. Snorers prefer to sleep in this position because the airway is more open than when lying on their back. This is also an emergency position for those who have problems with breathing, epilepsy, and convulsions.
The disadvantage of this sleeping pattern is that because lying on one side, more pressure on the shoulder leads to stiffness in the shoulder. In addition, gravity will tend to pull the skin to the side, so sleeping in this position also leads to skin wrinkles on one side. Women who sleep in this position are also prone to the risk of deviating one breast, sagging breasts.

3. The fetal body bend

This is the most common sleeping position. In this position, you lie on your side, curled up, knees bent to your chest, arms bent and chin bent, looking like a baby, so it is called the fetal position. This position is very good for people with back pain, pregnant women and helps reduce snoring. For pregnant mothers, this position reduces the pressure that the baby puts on the abdomen, especially in the area with many veins and the liver area, making mother and baby more comfortable.
You need to be completely relaxed and lie down naturally, otherwise this position may interfere with deep breathing during sleep. Because when bending too much, the diaphragm pulls down, causing difficulty breathing. The advice is to hug more pillows to avoid lying too bent.

4. Lie on your stomach

This position is rarely chosen and is only suitable and helps people with snorers, people with sleep apnea or people with obesity more comfortable sleeping. Sleeping on your stomach can both cause neck pain, back pain, and make you feel pain, fatigue, and numbness in your arms and legs when you wake up. Because when sleeping in this position, the spine is not in the most comfortable position, the muscles are also pressured by gravity. If you still want to sleep on your stomach, try to lose weight because a larger neck circumference will cause breathing difficulties, or sleep apnea. In addition, you can use a specialized headrest pillow in the spa.
Besides, there are some people who choose sitting sleeping position (only for patients with chronic or acute lung disease).
We spend about 1/3 of our lives sleeping and resting in bed. Sleeping in the right position is important. If you're having health problems, or if you don't feel refreshed when you wake up, it's time to switch your sleeping position.
If you have changed your sleeping position and still have problems related to sleep, you should consider going to a doctor for an accurate and timely assessment. Psychological Clinic - Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious address specializing in examination, consultation and effective treatment of psychological problems, mental health, and problems related to insomnia, difficulty sleeping. ,...

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.