Best Sleeping position – which one wins?

Looking for the best sleeping position? Tossed, turned and tried them all but still not sure which one is best? Well, you’ve come to the right place.  You’ve no doubt heard that some sleeping positions are better than others for falling asleep… But the question is which one?  Everybody seems to have something to say about the matter: “Sleep on your left side”, “Always on your back” “Never use a pillow”… Enough is enough! We decided to put the debate to bed once and for all and find the best sleeping position out there. 

Sleeping positions ranked 

On your back:

Pro:  It’s good for your spine and neck.

Con: Snoring and sleep apnea (in people with the condition) are more likely when you sleep on your back. 

On your belly:

Con: This position forces you to turn your head to the side and can become very painful your upper body (neck, head, shoulders).  
Pro: Umm…we’re still looking for one… 

On your side:

Pro:  Reduces the pressure on your spine. 

Con: Puts a lot of pressure on your hips. Here’s a little tip from one side-sleeper to another: put a pillow between your knees to help correct this. 

So does the best sleeping position actually exist? 

Well…not really! You can sleep on your side or your back, whichever feels best. Just don’t sleep on your belly. 

In theory, the best sleeping position is the one that puts the least pressure on your body. Inspired by this idea, the zero-gravity chair was created. The chair allows body weight to be spread equally without creating any tension. Sounds comfortable! 
Whether you have a zero-gravity chair lying around at home or not, the best sleeping position remains the one in which you feel most comfortable. 

Breathing techniques are also worth mentioning. Breathing is at the heart of several techniques designed to help you sleep: Equal breathing and 4-7-8 breathing are popular exercises among Dreem users. 

The idea is to focus on your breathing instead of thinking about whatever is stopping you sleep. But, breathing can also play a role in helping you sleep better.  With this in mind, it’s interesting to know that we have a respiratory cycle that regularly changes. It alternates every 90 minutes or so.

During 90 minutes, one nostril is more active than the other, and then sort of changes shifts with the other nostril who becomes more active for the next 90 minutes. So why not take that into account when trying to fall asleep? Choose to sleep on the side with the less active nostril for easier respiration. ‘How do I know which nostril is working harder?’ you ask. Simple, just hold a finger under your nose, inhale then exhale. You’ll quickly be able to identify the more active nostril.  

One position, so many interpretations!

Tell me how you sleep and I’ll tell you who you are! In just a few clicks, you can easily find your ’sleep horoscope’. Articles that claim to determine your personality or current preoccupations from your sleeping position.  
For the sleep ‘horoscope’ enthusiasts out there: a study showed that 41% of people sleep in the fetus position which represents a desire to return to childhood and/or great emotional needs. Fun! 

The same study, by Professor Chris Idzikowski, also showed that most people sleep on their side, while very few sleep on their front or back.