Gerrard Kaonga
Getting enough sleep can make a world of difference on your health and wellbeing, but a doctor has warned some positions just aren’t good for you.
I’m afraid to say, you might need to change the way you sleep since you may have been doing it wrong.
At least according to one expert who has warned against certain sleeping positions.
While you might think simply getting enough hours will keep you healthy, the quality of those hours is also important.
Advert
Dr Tim Mercer, an NHS GP partner and trainer with Opera Beds in the UK spoke about the importance of positioning when it comes to sleep.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “The position in which you sleep can profoundly impact sleep quality and your health, so it's crucial to identify a sleep position that not only promotes restful sleep but also contributes to your body's overall function and condition.”
As well as this, Mercer highlighted the ‘worst’ position you could put yourself in to sleep.
He said sleeping on your front with one leg hitched up towards your chest wasn’t doing your body any favors. Now, admittedly that isn’t the most natural sleeping position, but it is still good to know.
He continued: “This is probably the worst sleeping position due to the number of issues it can cause. Raising one leg while lying down causes the pelvis to shift, placing strain on the lower back and disrupting spinal alignment.
“Over time, this may contribute to stiffness or discomfort. An uneven hip position—where one side is elevated while the other remains flat—can create tension in the hip flexors and place uneven pressure on the pelvis.”
If you don’t often find yourself in this position you might believe you are safe from criticism, oh no, no, no...
Mercer outlined some of the issues with other sleeping positions, namely sleeping on your front due to the issues it can cause on your neck as well as other parts of your body.
He continued: “Sleeping on the stomach also compresses the chest, which can make deep breathing more difficult and limit oxygen intake. Furthermore, prolonged facial contact with the pillow may contribute to skin issues such as breakouts, wrinkles, and puffiness."
Dr Mercer added: "Left-side sleeping can shift the position of your heart, increasing the pressure it experiences and changing the heart's electrical activity."
Unfortunately, the good doctor didn’t outline the best ways to sleep, but a sleep expert who goes by Levitex on TikTok once did. And I suppose if you avoid the worst ways, you’ll be alright... probably.