Which sleeping position is right for you?

Summary

1. Sleeping on your back: the healthiest position?
• Benefits for Spine Alignment
• The essential role of the support pillow
• Limits: Snoring and Sleep Apnea
2. Sleeping on your side: the French's favorite position
• Why 60% of the population adopts it
• Choosing the right pillow and mattress
• Sleeping on your left side: an asset for digestion
3. Sleeping on your stomach: the least recommended position
• Risks to the neck and back
• Tips to limit pain if you prefer
4. The fetal position: comfort or trap?
• A variation of side sleeping
• The risk of excessive back strain

Choosing the ideal sleeping position is of crucial importance. Beyond providing comfort, it allows you to get a restful sleep and avoid back pain when you wake up. Depending on your body size, age, and health conditions, some sleeping positions are more recommended than others. In this new article, we invite you to discover which sleeping position is best for you.

1. Sleeping on your back: the healthiest position?

Sleeping on your back is considered one of the healthiest positions because it promotes the natural alignment of the spine. It's the ideal position for enjoying good quality rest and for people suffering from muscle aches or pains. For this position, it's recommended to use a supportive pillow such as the Douceur pillow to maintain the natural curve of the neck and head. A pillow that's too thick can cause excessive flexion of the neck, while one that's too flat can create excessive tension. A medium-firm mattress, such as our Vitality pocket spring mattress , is generally best for supporting the back while still allowing a certain level of comfort. Sleeping on your back will promote snoring, and this position is also not recommended for people suffering from sleep apnea.

2. Sleeping on your side: the French's favorite position

Sleeping on your side is also a popular position (over 60% of the population), but it requires proper spinal alignment to avoid back pain. For this position, it is recommended to use a medium-firmness pillow, such as a memory foam pillow, which will keep the head and neck perfectly aligned with the spine. The pillow should be thick enough to fill the space between the shoulder and the ear. Sleeping on your side generally tends to put more weight on our pressure points, but these symptoms can be greatly alleviated, especially by investing in a medium-firmness mattress with support zones, such as a memory foam mattress.

Did you know? Sleeping on your left side, due to the position of our organs, can improve digestion and reduce heartburn.

3. Sleeping on your stomach: the least recommended position

Sleeping on your stomach can be problematic; it's the least recommended sleeping position because it can cause excessive curvature of the spine and neck tension. It's best to try changing your position if you regularly sleep on your stomach; it's actually the least popular position in France, with only 17% of the population sleeping on your stomach. However, if you prefer this position and it doesn't cause lower back pain or stiff necks, it's recommended to use a flat pillow or even do without one to reduce pressure on your neck. A medium-firm mattress can help prevent arching problems by keeping the body in a more neutral position; a soft mattress should be avoided.

4. The fetal position: comfort or trap?

Sleeping in the fetal position, where you curl up on your side with your knees bent, is another common position, a variation of the side position. The advice is the same as for a side position, however, be aware that the fetal position has a disadvantage: if you tense your back too much, you will feel pain in your lower back and also in your abdomen when you wake up.

In conclusion, there is no ideal position... There are as many types of sleeping positions as there are types of sleepers and the ideal sleeping position for you will essentially depend on the comfort you prefer, your body shape, whether you suffer from pain... We hope that this article will help you enjoy better quality rest and, if you have any suggestions for sleeping better, do not hesitate to share them with us in the comments.