What do a 'dreamer' and a 'soldier' have in common?
They're certainly not words you might associate, but there is a connection between them. If you guessed 'sleeping positions', you're bang on the money.
In fact, the 'dreamer' and the 'soldier' are two sleeping positions recommended by James Leinhardt, founder of Levitex - a pillow and mattress brand that focuses on spine health.
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Back pain is a growing problem for many people. Jobs which have us hunched over a computer for hours every day do little to help our spines.
However, it seems that there is also another factor in keeping our spine as healthy as we can and preventing some of the problems which can impact us. That is the position we sleep in.
Of course, there's no way to account for how you might change your position while you sleep, but starting off in the right position could have a significant impact on your spine.
Leinhardt has spent over a decade working with people with critical injuries and who are chronically ill to improve their quality of sleep.
So, what exactly are the 'soldier' and the 'dreamer'?
Let's start with the 'dreamer'.
This looks a little bit like the foetal position. You lie on your side with your knees brought slightly up and your arms in front of you. It all looks very cozy.
As an optional extra you can also place a pillow in between your knees for extra support. This position has the least amount of tension on the spine, Leinhardt explained.
The second position is the 'soldier'. This is basically just lying directly on your back.
It's a good position for your spine because it evenly distributes your weight.
Leinhardt said: "If you're lying on your back, your spine is immediately supported by the mattress, and you've got the most even distribution of body weight.
"If you pop a pillow underneath your knees, you'll find that you slightly tilt your pelvis and more of your back is now touching the bed. It's better supported."
These positions are both good for taking care of your spine. However, Leinhardt advises against sleeping on your front unless you have a condition which requires you to do so.
There is a whole plethora of sleeping positions, but the 'dreamer' and the 'solider' are the only ones which Leinhardt recommends as looking after your spine.
Just make sure you can actually sleep in these positions!
Topics: Health
Kit Roberts