What type of sleeper are you?

Eventually, you reach an age where "fatigue" is no longer just a feeling - it becomes part of your personality.

Stress and pain are the primary reasons that rob many people of sleep. After all, sleep forms the foundation for better well-being. Both insufficient and poor sleep impact our daily lives. Most people suffer from sleep problems, often attributed to the stress of the previous day. In many cases, worries and anxieties about sleep itself lead to sleep disorders. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop and apply effective methods for stress management and pain relief in order to improve sleep and overall well-being.

Yes, that sounds right.

Stress (emotional, mental, or physical) significantly contributes to exacerbating pain because it increases inflammation in the body. Many people wake up with pain or cannot sleep due to chronic pain.

A common culprit? The sleeping position.

A comfortable and pain-free sleep is the best sleep. Similar to the best workout being the one you consistently perform, the best sleeping position is the one in which you are comfortable and free from pain. There is no "one size fits all," but there are certainly some positions that are better than others. Of course, there are many variations of sleeping positions, but they can generally be categorized into three main categories: side sleeping, back sleeping, or stomach sleeping.

Below, we will take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each position.

Side Sleeping

Advantages: Side sleeping is especially comfortable for people with back pain and can help reduce snoring. Pregnant women and individuals with acid reflux also find side sleeping more comfortable.

Disadvantages: Side sleeping is generally not recommended for people with shoulder pain. It can also contribute to wrinkles on the face, neck, and décolleté because the face is pressed against the pillow, causing the skin on the neck and décolleté to crinkle.

Tips:

• If you're concerned about wrinkles but still love sleeping on your side, it may be beneficial to consider using a silk pillowcase. This creates less friction between your skin and the pillow, helping to keep your skin smooth. Silicone patches worn overnight can help smooth out existing lines and prevent creasing of the skin on the neck and décolleté.
• If you have digestive issues or if you are pregnant, it may be more advantageous to sleep on your left side rather than your right side.

Back Sleeping

Advantages: This could be a comfortable sleeping position for people with back pain, according to experts. A well-supportive, firmer mattress is recommended in this case. Sleeping on the back does not promote wrinkle formation and can be beneficial for nasal congestion, provided that the head and upper back are adequately supported by pillows.

Disadvantages: For people who snore and/or suffer from sleep apnea, the symptoms may tend to worsen when sleeping on the back. Acid reflux and heartburn are also more likely to occur in this position.

Tips:

• It can be helpful for back sleepers with acid reflux and heartburn to use pillows to support their head and upper back.
• Placing a pillow under the knees can make back sleeping more comfortable by reducing pressure on the lower back.