Some people sleep on their side, some on their stomach, and some people swear by sleeping on their backs and can only fall asleep in that one position. According to research, the proportion of people sleeping on their side is the highest: about 60% of those who took the test slept in this position. In fact, it is considered one of the healthiest sleeping positions.
In this article, we will show you the benefits of sleeping on your side and which mattress you should choose if you sleep in this position. Let's take a look.
The healthiest sleeping position: sleeping on your side
Sleeping on your side has numerous benefits, including relieving back pain and reducing snoring.
#1 Relieves stomach ache
Many people suffer from chronic pain, particularly in the lower back. Sleeping in a bad position, such as lying on your stomach, can increase pressure on the spine, causing the characteristic pain upon waking.
That's why it's worth trying side sleeping for those with back pain, as there's no unnecessary pressure, so the spine maintains its natural curvature.
#2 Reduces snoring, making it ideal for those with sleep apnea
People who sleep on their backs are more likely to snore than those who sleep on their sides. This is because when they lie on their backs, their tongue slides back into their throat more easily, which blocks the free flow of air.
However, sleeping on your side keeps your airways open, making it easier to breathe. This is why doctors recommend that people with sleep apnea sleep on their side to help relieve symptoms.
#3 It is good for the digestive system
You wouldn't think it, but sleeping position even affects your intestinal system, and it's true. People who sleep on their backs don't expel gas as quickly, which is why bloating and a feeling of fullness can be common.
Those who suffer from heartburn, constipation, bloating, or other digestive problems are advised to switch to sleeping on their side.
#4 It's good for the brain
The brain is constantly getting rid of excess waste throughout the day, but most of its work is done at night, while you sleep.
Researchers analyzed how sleeping position affects the brain's efficiency in removing waste products. They observed that those who sleep on their side eliminate excess waste products faster than those who sleep on their stomachs or backs.
#5 A great choice for heartburn
If you struggle with reflux, it's definitely worth paying attention to your sleeping position, because it's not enough to lie on your side, you need to turn to your left side.
Disadvantages of sleeping on your side
Of course, sleeping on your side has both advantages and disadvantages.
These include:
- the arm numbness,
- high pressure on the joints,
- and similarly high pressure on the lungs and stomach.
Now that we've looked at the pros and cons, let's take a look at what kind of mattress is worth buying for someone who sleeps on their side.
The best mattresses for side sleepers
Since side sleepers put a lot of pressure on their joints at night, it is important to choose a mattress that reduces pressure on them. It is especially important to make sure that the mattress is firm enough for the shoulders and hips.
However, from a spine perspective, it is not good to choose a mattress that is too hard, as it will raise your hips, which will make your spine uneven.
A semi-firm mattress is like a unicorn
Some “experts” would say that a medium-firm mattress is the best choice. But the problem is that such a mattress simply does not exist.
Just think about how a random, average mattress feels hard to a 50 kg woman, but soft to a 100 kg man, because he has a completely different weight on it.
That's why you should choose a cold foam mattress with a hardness that matches your body weight, rather than a semi-firm one.
Cold foam mattress for side sleeping
Cold foam mattresses, like side sleeping, have countless advantages.
For example, this:
- are point elastic,
- they are well ventilated,
- are durable,
- and besides, they are cheap too .
Ventilation, durability, and price probably don't need to be explained in more detail, but it's worth talking a little about point flexibility.
If a mattress is point-flexible, it gives way where pressure is applied. This means, among other things, that you won't feel the other person moving around at night, and the shape-following is also orders of magnitude better than, for example, a mattress with bonell springs.
Moreover, cold foam mattresses can be produced with any firmness, with a little exaggeration, and even within a given mattress there can be harder and softer parts. These are called zoned mattresses.
The zonal mattresses
The great thing about zonal mattresses is that they follow the contours of your body perfectly from an orthopedic point of view. In Hungarian: hard where it needs to be and soft where it needs to be.
It's soft at the shoulders and hips, for example, so they sink into the mattress. Otherwise, they would press up and break the healthy curve of your spine. That's why you might wake up in the morning with a sore back, numb hands, and aching lower back (like someone was beaten to death).
If you sleep on your side, a heavily cut, zoned cold foam mattress is the best choice. Even better, it has an extra comfort layer on top.
View the our cold foam mattresses by clicking on the link, and if you have any questions, Contact us with confidence .
