What are the best sleeping positions for a more comfortable day

Medical Xpress / HealthDay / PLOS Medicine / Sensors ^ | March 14, 2023 | Kirstie Ganobsik / Séverine Sabia et al / Yuan Zhang et al

[ConservativeMind]

Here are the positions that the experts recommend.

Sleeping on your back

Advantages:

Reduces aches and pains in the lower back and neck Supports your spine so your muscles can relax and recover Helps relieve congestion, especially if you elevate your torso Helps reduce the risk of developing facial wrinkles

Disadvantages:

Increases the risk of airway collapse for those who snore or have sleep apnea Raises pressure levels for certain types of back pain Increases episodes of acid reflux Raises gravity pressure to make it more difficult to breathe, making it unsuitable for older or heavier people Causes a fetus to put more pressure on the heart in pregnant women, especially in the third trimester

Sleeping on your stomach

Advantages:

Opens the airway to help reduce snoring

Disadvantages:

Causes increased gravity on your ribs to make breathing less energy-efficient Provides the least back and neck support of the three positions Contributes to facial wrinkles Makes it difficult to get comfortable when pregnant Sleeping on your side

Advantages:

Advances spinal alignment, making it ideal for those with back pain, particularly when using support pillows Reduces snoring and heartburn, which means it's beneficial for those with acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea Promotes comfort, ease of breathing, and reduced pressure on the spine and internal organs, making it a top choice for pregnant people and older adults

Disadvantages:

Increases pressure on the shoulders, which means it's not ideal for those with pain in this region Contributes to facial wrinkles

So which side is best? A recent study published in the journal Sensors found that sleeping on your right side, combined with lower rates of turning, promoted higher quality sleep. However, left-side sleeping is ideal for those with acid reflux and GERD because it decreases pressure on internal organs.

[madison10]

He wanted it that way, my feelings were hurt about it for a VERY long time. Still angers me a bit. Also, not what it was supposed to be. We were BOTH to agree to such an arrangement.

Now it is just practical. I like complete darkness, he does not. He snores. I talk in my sleep. So even sleeping Lucy and Desi style might not have worked. The dog is a good bed mate.

[sweetiepiezer]

Oh my gosh, what was the Croc incident?

Ladders scare me.

On 9/11 I look my red/white/blue banner to hang high over my garage door.

Flag flies facing golf course.

I got up on the ladder and when I came down, I missed the last rung, rolled down the driveway and was in the gutter.
Everyone’s house closed up with air conditioning running.

Finally got up, a little sore but fine. Hardly ever get on a ladder again, except to put decorations on tree, hubby does the top.

Interested in Croc story, have a pair.

[sweetiepiezer]

I have one of those sleep number beds, have had it for about 20 years, never have had any back trouble since.

I got one of those long pillows and put between my legs and kind of hug it, hubby hates it, but he bought it for me.

I take .25 of Melatonin at night and sleep like a baby.

[Redcitizen]

“He does the same, so we do often meet at the coffee maker at the middle of the night.”

Sounds romantic. :)

[Redcitizen]

Sofa so good.

[LizzieD]

So many of us have trouble sleeping...I suspect it is because we know more and worry more, especially if we have children/grandchildren for whom we would like a life like we have known - free, peaceful and prosperous.

I’ve taken to listening to health/nutrition videos on YouTube to fall asleep, that or rainstorms. Can’t listen to anything political because it just agitates me.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

For me it with my arms wrapped around my sugar-woogum or his around me.

But seriously as you get older you sleep in the position that will let you wake up with the least amount of pain. And that will change all though the night for me.

[minnesota_bound]

First you need a mattress that does not sag!
I spent a lot of money on a mattress and within 4 months there was a depression. Cannot return unless it is 1.5” or more. Almost there. 1.3”. That little bit makes the bed uncomfortable.
I will never buy a pillowtop again or have a spring wire foundation. Before it was always a tight top and a wood slat foundation.

I have inserted a 1” thick memory form cutout that is now between the foundation and mattress that even things out for the most part. Read up on the issue and you find the sellers know all about which brands are the worst and they blame the types of foam used. You can get memory form toppers for like $25 for a twin size at Walmarts website that you can then cut up to fill in the “divot” !

[Mozzafiato]

Sounds like staying awake all night is the way to go

[vpintheak]

I’ve got lower back pain, sleep on my side. Need thick pillows.
We’ve got a Temperpedic bed, and it is awesome!

[ConservativeMind]

Interesting, and I’ve had a similar experience.

But, I will say, that pillow top we had from Simmons originally was the best bed I’d owned. It was so comfortable.

We figured, for the mattress alone, we got good utility from it for only 1.5 years. It had a spring base that didn’t degrade.

What did you learn about those box springs?

[ConservativeMind]

We don’t watch or listen to news. We just read it.

Free Republic is a nice place, because you get the news, with plenty of humor.

[ConservativeMind]

I’ve read it starts to sag in 2-3 years. Have you noticed that?

[Laslo Fripp]

BTTT

[Zuriel]

In 2001 I had a 40”x 82” bag made by awning company, with an industrial strength zipper. Filled it with styrofoam beads (about BB size) to where it was 5”-6” thick. It lays on a 3/4” plywood sheet of the same dimensions, which is on a single size bed frame.

I have been sleeping on it ever since. I’ve had back issues through the years, and it has given me whatever position I want or need through the night. Even had one made for the truck sleeper.

Wife sleeps in the master bedroom. I go in there when necessary.

I would be asleep on it right now, but just got off the phone with family in HI.

[Owen]

Okay people.

Sleep Apnea is more and more common because obesity is. Sleep Apnea attacks life expectancy. It lowers your oxygen in the blood and the body makes more red blood cells to carry the lesser amount of oxygen.

This thickens the blood.

This of course predisposes for stroke and heart disease. This can take 10 years off your life.

Get a sleep study. You can do them at home. Strap a gizmo on your chest and a canula up your nostrils. Three nights of measure. The chest strap will notice an attempt to inhale. If air doesn’t move in the canula, that is an apnea event.

It works. It is measurable. Your doc will ask you some questions, about falling asleep during the day, not getting many hours at night . . . that will prompt the sleep study.

If you’re a veteran, vets are FAR more likely to have Sleep Apnea. Veterans all have gunnery range work at an early age, they work on the flight line, they deal with artillery. Tinnitus is inevitable and that keeps vets awake. It takes years off their life if they don’t get the SA treated.

So heads up.

[Zuriel]

Ping to #35

[Inyo-Mono]

Reading more at link.

[Zuriel]

Ping to #35

[minnesota_bound]

Too springy : )
I like a medium firm leaning towards firm.
The spring wire foundation just made the bed softer.
If it was not for that sag the mattress is good medium firm.
It is a Stearns and Foster Hurston mattress.

Does Stearns and Foster sag?
Image result for stearns and foster hurston mattress sags
Stearns and Foster mattresses are innerspring and hybrid. Though they use high end materials and use authentic craftspeople to manufacture their mattresses, there are numerous reports of the mattresses sagging over a short period of time, especially their lower priced collections like Estate and Lux Estate.
https://www.slumbersearch.com/stearns-and-foster-mattress-reviews

VERY expensive below like $4,500 and $5,000 to over $6,000 !!
https://www.us-mattress.com/stearns-and-foster-reserve-mattresses.html

The Reserve Collection is the highest end mattress offering by Stearns & Foster. It offers a similar feel to the Lux Estate Collection, but has an extra foam layer and an extra pillow top option for added softness. Another layer is added below the gel foam for an even softer profile. This mattress is quite expensive, but at 16’’ for the pillow top has a very high profile. This top of the line mattress doesn’t have as many negative reports about durability, which is a big win for customers. Rare complaints mostly mention firmness issues.
_______________________

I have tried this inexpensive bed. It was too bouncy and soft even though it said medium firm. I returned it and Amazon said keep it or give it away and they returned my $282 money!! A neighbor of mine grabbed it so it worked out for them : )
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09GLVN58R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Made in Taiwan or a place like it. So it is shipped all the way across the ocean and the mattress seller makes a profit so how much do the $1,500, $2,000 or $4,000 and $6,000 mattresses cost to make?
Big profit I suspect.