What's the secret to a good night's sleep? It might have to do with your sleep position.
What's the secret to a good night's sleep? It might have to do with your sleep position.
Show Caption
Hide Caption
What does your sleeping position say about you?
A new study is revealing what your sleeping position may say about you. For example, people who sleep on their stomachs are reportedly fun, open-minded and direct.
Fox - 5 Atlanta
We're all chasing after a good night's sleep. Reaching seven hours of blissful, undisturbed sleep could very well involve placing limits on caffeine intake, drinking chamomile tea and averting our eyes from blue light before bedtime. But if you're still waking up with pain in your neck, shoulder or back, it's possible your sleep position could be throwing off your ability to start the day feeling refreshed.
It's not to say you're doing yourself a disservice by spending the night sleeping on your stomach. In fact, 'it's hard to say that there's truly one (sleep) position that supersedes them all. It really is dependent on a person's individual needs and comfort level,' says Miranda McPhillips, an Eastwood Family Endowed Assistant Professor in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University.
How does sleep position affect your health?
If you don't have any underlying conditions or musculoskeletal concerns, there's really nothing that should prevent you from sleeping in whatever position you find to be the most comfortable. However, while most sleep positions are generally healthy, you should still prioritize sleeping in a way that supports spinal alignment, says McPhillips.
For certain groups of people, 'there's research to show that sleep position certainly matters,' says McPhillips. People with obstructive sleep apnea, for example, should sleep on their side or stomach, rather than their back. When someone with sleep apnea sleeps on their back, there's a risk of their airways collapsing, which can impede their ability to breathe, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
During pregnancy, people should opt for sleeping on their left side, adds McPhillips. This encourages blood flow in the body, and alleviates pressure off the liver, per Mount Sinai. It's also known that newborns should sleep on their back, which helps to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), says McPhillips.
Heads up: Stretches for lower back pain can help ease discomfort. Here's 5 to try
What's the best sleep position? What side should you sleep on?
Consider some pros and cons of some common sleep postures:
Side sleeping. Sleeping on your side is generally healthy, and preferred by most people. It's great for people who are pregnant and people with sleep apnea. It can also help reduce snoring, ease heartburn and relieve back pain. However, there's a fine line with side sleeping, because if your spine isn't supported, it could inadvertently contribute to back and neck pain. If you're going to sleep on your side, McPhillips recommends placing a pillow between your knees; this will help take some pressure off of the hips and maximize spinal alignment.
Sleeping on your side is generally healthy, and preferred by most people. It's great for people who are pregnant and people with sleep apnea. It can also help reduce snoring, ease heartburn and relieve back pain. However, there's a fine line with side sleeping, because if your spine isn't supported, it could inadvertently contribute to back and neck pain. If you're going to sleep on your side, McPhillips recommends placing a pillow between your knees; this will help take some pressure off of the hips and maximize spinal alignment. Sleeping on your back. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of sleeping on your back is that it reduces pressure on various aspects of your spine. If you prop your pillow up, sleeping on your back can also help to reduce congestion (although if you're laying flat, it could actually contribute to nasal congestion and snoring). As mentioned, this position also isn't recommended if you have sleep apnea. If you're pregnant, you should avoid sleeping on your back, because the weight of the uterus can put pressure on the spine and reduce blood flow to the fetus.
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of sleeping on your back is that it reduces pressure on various aspects of your spine. If you prop your pillow up, sleeping on your back can also help to reduce congestion (although if you're laying flat, it could actually contribute to nasal congestion and snoring). As mentioned, this position also isn't recommended if you have sleep apnea. If you're pregnant, you should avoid sleeping on your back, because the weight of the uterus can put pressure on the spine and reduce blood flow to the fetus. Sleeping on your stomach. This position could help with snoring, and if you're someone who has sleep apnea, it's better than sleeping on your back. But sleeping on your stomach isn't the most ideal sleep position; it can be particularly taxing on the spine, and could exacerbate back and neck pain. If you're someone who tends to sleep on your stomach, McPhillips recommends investing in a firmer mattress, which will help prevent you from sinking into the bed (and putting pressure on the spine).
Great graphics: What is the best way to sleep? How every sleeping positions can affect your health
How to find the best sleep position for you
Over the course of a few weeks, use a sleep diary to track what sleep position feels most comfortable for you, suggests McPhillips. For instance, if you're noticing shoulder pain after side sleeping for a week, sleep on your back for a few days to test if it feels better. As always, if you have any sleep-related concerns, it's always safe to visit your primary care provider, and if need be, they can refer you to a sleep medicine specialist.
Beyond sleep posture, getting a good night's sleep could also involve following a few essential sleep hygiene practices. Here's what McPhillips recommends:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Creepy crawlies: Top 10 bed bug-infested cities in the US
A city in Georgia has landed on a list no city wants to top, the top 10 bed bug-infested cities in the U.S. The study, by Terminix, is based on the number of bed bug control services across the country. With Atlanta consistently near the top, experts say residents and travelers alike should take extra precautions to avoid them. Here is more. According to the study, Atlanta takes the No. 6 spot, making it the most bed bug-prone city in Georgia. Philadelphia New York Cleveland-Akron (Canton) Los Angeles Dallas - Ft. Worth Atlanta Houston Washington, D.C (Hagerstown) San Francisco - Oak - San Jose Indianapolis Bedbugs are tiny pests capable of causing significant disruption with just one infestation. These small, brown, oval-shaped bugs spread rapidly. Adult females produce 200-500 eggs over their 6-12 month lifespan. Bedbugs were eradicated in the middle of the 20th century but made a triumphant return as the human population began to travel more, according to the UC Riverside Center for Invasive Species Research. Today, they can be found in dark, tight, hidden spaces. Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your belongings against infestation: Reduce clutter Vacuum frequently Keep your belongings away from others' Seal cracks Check and clean secondhand furniture and clothes Other than checking for the live bugs themselves, look for signs of: Reddish stains from bedbugs being crushed Dark spots from bedbug excrement Eggs, eggshells and shedding skins Wash bedsheets, clothing, linens and curtains in hot water. Then, put them in the dryer on the hot setting for at least 30 minutes. Use a stiff brush on mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs. Vacuum your bed and the surrounding area. Place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and put it in a trash can outside. Encase your mattress in a bed bug mattress cover and keep this on for at least a year since bed bugs can survive up to that long without feeding. Repair cracks in walls or plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to limit hiding places. Get rid of clutter around the bed. While these tips can help, using chemicals is the most effective way to exterminate bed bugs. WebMD suggests hiring an experienced exterminator for the best results. Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What city in Georgia is the worst for bed bugs?
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
When To Lower The Crib Mattress: A Thorough Guide
Wouldn't it be nice if there was an exact age to lower your baby's crib mattress? Like most things in parenting, there is some nuance to this decision. Once your baby's milestones or skill level make the current crib height unsafe, it's time to lower it. To learn more about safe sleep and when to lower the mattress, we interviewed a pediatrician and reviewed safe sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Lower the crib mattress when your baby's skills make their mattress height unsafe. Keeping your baby safe in their crib is about more than just mattress height. 'Generally, the more basic, the better—babies should sleep on their back, alone on a firm surface with a fitted sheet, and in a location with four walls (like a bassinet, crib or play yard). Nothing else,' says Dr. Christopher Culler, associate chief of pediatrics at Nemours Children's Health in Orlando, Florida. The best crib mattresses are firm, according to the AAP safe sleep guidelines, which help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Choosing the right crib mattress size can also help ensure your baby doesn't get trapped between the sides of the crib and the mattress. Though it can be tempting to add crib bumpers, pillows or blankets, these items are not safe for babies. Even once your baby suddenly becomes a toddler when they turn 1, most crib manufacturers advise parents not to place any extra items in the crib while it's in crib mode. As for lowering the crib, it's imperative to do it at the right time to prevent your baby from falling out of the crib. 'The mattress should always be kept low enough that the baby or toddler cannot climb out,' says Culler. When in doubt, there is no harm in lowering the crib mattress earlier than you think you need to. The higher height setting simply makes it easier on your back when picking baby up or setting them down. Most cribs have three mattress settings. The highest setting is ideal for newborns, because you don't have to bend down so far to get them in and out of the crib. As they achieve new abilities and surpass milestones, the crib height should be lowered to keep them safe. Make sure you're moving the crib mattress down when your baby shows they can do these things anywhere, not just when they do them in their crib. If they can pull to stand on the side of the couch, they can do it in their crib. Once a baby can up or get onto their hands and knees, move the crib mattress from the highest to the middle height setting. Typically, this happens between 6 and 9 months, though it can happen sooner, so keep a close eye on your baby's skills. If your newborn is using a bassinet versus a crib, you may need to switch over to a crib before 6 months. Most bassinet manufacturers recommend parents switch babies to a crib once they are able to roll over. Once in the crib, they can stay at the top mattress setting until they can sit or get onto their hands and knees. Somewhere around 9 months, many babies begin to pull to stand, and the crib slats often provide an ideal place for them to practice. At this point, move the crib mattress down to the lowest setting so they don't topple out when they pull themselves up. Eventually, your baby will outgrow their crib. For many little ones, this happens around 18 to 24 months. As soon as they start to try climbing out of their crib, it's best to switch them to a toddler bed, floor bed or big kid bed. Your crib might even convert into a toddler bed with the removal of one side. You don't want them to get injured trying to climb out. Even if they're not trying to climb out, you may need to move out of the crib around this age. Most crib manufacturers recommend that toddlers move out of the crib once they reach 35 inches tall or when the top rail of the crib is at or below nipple height when they're standing in it. Once you get the mattress to the lowest setting, it's important to keep it there. Unless specifically approved by your crib's manufacturer, it's not safe to put the crib mattress on the floor. Sometimes parents want to do this to extend how long their baby can stay in their crib, but it often simply isn't safe. For the best advice on how to lower a crib mattress, follow the directions in your crib's instruction manual. In general, here are the steps you'll take: At What Age Can Babies Sleep On A Softer Mattress? Generally, it's recommended that babies sleep on a firm surface until 12 months. After that, your toddler may use a softer mattress. Some crib mattresses have a firm side for babies and a softer side for toddlers. Is It Safe To Incline A Baby Mattress For Congestion? No, it is not safe to incline your baby's mattress. Instead, to relieve congestion, try using nasal saline and suction with a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator. You can also try sitting in a warm, steamy bathroom with your baby before bed or running a cool-mist humidifier in their room. This can help clear their nasal passages. What Is The Best Crib Mattress? After testing 21 models, we found the best crib mattress to be the Naturepedic Organic Breathable Ultra Baby Crib Mattress (2-Stage) Innerspring. It's durable and has quite a few certifications: EWG Verified, Made Safe and Greenguard Gold. It also has two stages, so you can flip it to the softer side when your toddler is ready.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Marjorie Taylor Greene launches probe into Planned Parenthood's use of taxpayer funds
FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and her DOGE subcommittee are launching an investigation into Planned Parenthood on Friday. Greene is sending a letter to Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson, questioning whether the nonprofit is commingling "federal funds and using them for unpermitted purposes." Federal funds are barred from being used for abortions under a measure called the Hyde Amendment. President Donald Trump has also taken executive action toward affirming the Hyde Amendment and blocking federal dollars from organizations that provide transgender healthcare to youth. However, Greene's letter suggested she is accusing Planned Parenthood of doing both. 148 Democrats Back Noncitizen Voting In Dc As Gop Raises Alarm About Foreign Agents "Despite receiving 39 percent of its annual revenue from federal funds intended for essential health services, such as cancer screenings and wellness exams, Planned Parenthood is increasingly using its resources to offer abortions to its patients," Greene wrote. Read On The Fox News App Greene said the data show that the "latest Planned Parenthood annual report shows that it performed more than 400,000 abortions, an increase of 23 percent over the last 10 years." The letter also accused Planned Parenthood of providing "gender-affirming care" with "allegedly little to no medical or psychological evaluation." An annual report by Planned Parenthood, cited by Greene, showed 45 "affiliate health centers" providing hormone therapy for so-called "gender-affirming care." However, Greene said other gender transition services were reported as "other procedures," including pediatric care and infertility services as well, which she said obscured the "true number of transgender services provided." "Planned Parenthood's official policy varies by state, but some Planned Parenthood health centers will provide cross-sex hormones to minors as young as 16 years old with parental consent," Greene wrote, while also accusing the group of "not consistently adhering to its own parental consent policies." To assist her probe, Greene is seeking Planned Parenthood's non-public financial statements from between January 2020 through June 2025, as well as a list of its independent affiliate health centers, informed consent documents, and other documentation. Notably, that period includes when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and sent the issue of abortion back to the states in June 2022. Republicans have long targeted Planned Parenthood, accusing the nonprofit of misusing federal dollars despite the longstanding anti-abortion funding measure. Republicans Challenge 'Irrelevant' Budget Office As It Critiques Trump's 'Beautiful Bill' The group's supporters, meanwhile, have held it up as a key nationwide provider of women's healthcare – which they believe has only gotten more critical after the high court's June 2022 decision. Greene's panel, which is under the House Oversight Committee, is opening the probe weeks after House Republicans passed their version of Trump's "big, beautiful bill," which includes a provision to block federal funds from organizations that provide abortions. Fox News Digital reached out to Planned Parenthood for comment but did not immediately hear article source: Marjorie Taylor Greene launches probe into Planned Parenthood's use of taxpayer funds
