Sings you are sleeping wrong, and How to fix it

Improper sleep keeps us from feeling refreshed and energized. It could potentially have serious effects like high blood pressure or diabetes. Even if you feel like you're sleeping right, it's important to understand the signs of bad sleep. Here are a few signs you are sleeping wrong.

You're a Stomach Sleeper

While it has been noted that sleeping on your stomach can reduce sleep apnea and snoring, stomach sleeping can also be hard on your spine. Stomach sleeping has been linked poor sleep quality and neck and back strain.

You Sleep on Your Right Side

Many people sleep on their right side with no issues. If you have known stomach issues, you might want to consider switching over. Studies have shown that sleeping on the right side causes more acid to leak through your esophagus, causing gut issues.

Sleeping on the left side has been shown to alleviate acid reflux, boost digestion and improve circulation. According to recent studies, sleeping on the left side can also reduce your risk of developing certain neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's. It does that by cleaning the "brain waste" called interstitial waste.

You Need a New Pillow

Choosing quality pillows can greatly improve sleep quality. Feather pillows are common but actually cause the most issues due to insufficient neck stability. Latex and memory-foam pillows are usually recommended for best neck and spinal support.

Your Bedroom is not Dark Enough

Your natural internal clock is called the circadian rhythm. It knows that when it is dark, to time to sleep and when it is light, time to be alert. Make sure your room is dim enough to allow you to relax and start falling asleep. This means shutting out all sources of light. This includes Streetlights, hallway lights and phone lights.

References

Cherney, K. (2019, September 25). Side sleeper: Benefits, drawbacks, how to do it, which side is best. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/side-sleeper#which-side-is-best.

Leicht, L. (n.d.). How your sleep position affects your sleep quality. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/best-sleep-positions.