How to Sleep to Fix Posture
Getting enough high-quality sleep is important to your general health and well-being.
When you’re well-rested, it’s easier to make better decisions about what food to eat and to fit in more physical activity during the day.
Here are some ways that you can improve your sleeping posture and get more sleep.
Evaluate Your Current Sleeping Posture
The first step in improving your sleeping posture is to understand how you currently sleep.
-
Do you sleep on your stomach?
-
Wake up with back pain?
-
Toss and turn all night?
-
Snore?
By evaluating your current sleeping posture, you’ll know what problems you’re trying to solve.
Use Pillows
Depending on how you currently sleep, you can use pillows to reduce the strain on your body, limits aches and pains, and improve your sleeping posture.
If you sleep on your side, you can put a pillow between your knees to alleviate hip pain.
If you sleep on your back, you can put a pillow under your knees to change how you put pressure on your back.
Sometimes, a new pillow can also make a difference for your neck.
Learn to Sleep in a New Position
Even if you’ve been a stomach sleeper your whole life, it’s possible to learn how to sleep in a new position.
Just remember, like many other habits in life, it can be difficult to break the habit of sleeping in your favorite position, especially since you’re unconscious while you sleep.
Try using pillows to reinforce your new sleeping position. Body pillows could be particularly effective.
Buy a New Mattress
Mattress sellers indicate how it’s important to replace your mattress at least every 10 years for optimum comfort and functionality.
For natural mattresses, this figure could be closer to 30 years. Regardless of the timeline that your mattress manufacturer recommends, if you are having difficulty sleeping or getting comfortable on your bed, it might be time for a new mattress.
Walk a Little Before Bed
It’s easy to plop into bed after watching a marathon TV session or playing video games.
However, the sitting position can create a less than ideal posture for your pelvis and sleeping.
Before heading straight to bed, walk for a few minutes around your house to relieve any pressure, improve your posture, and encourage healthy circulation in your arms and legs. This could be enough to help.
It is possible to improve your sleeping posture and get a better night’s sleep. By evaluating your current sleeping position and doing what you can to improve your posture, you can find ways to old improve sleeping habits. You may find that a new mattress or pillow completely changes how you sleep.
If you are seeking a customized, innovative approach to physical therapy in Edison, NJ, please call Health Plus Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center at (732) 494-5994 to schedule your initial assessment.