Sleeping on your stomach may not be the most popular sleep position, but it can still be comfortable. Experts caution, though, that too much pressure could be put on the neck and spine if sleeping this way is chosen as your default sleeping position.
To reduce pressures on the lower back and neck, ensure your hips are flat and your spine does not bend or twist – this can help alleviate lower back and neck pain.
About 7 percent of adults sleep on their stomachs
Sleeping on one’s stomach might sound counter-productive, yet many find it to be their preferred method for falling asleep. Unfortunately, however, stomach sleeping has its drawbacks and could cause back and neck pain along with heartburn for those living with acid reflux disease or GERD; additionally it may result in poor quality restful slumber and lead to snoring issues.
Sleeping on your stomach can be uncomfortable as it forces your head to tilt to one side or the other, forcing it to constantly change positions throughout the night and wake up in an awkward posture. Over time, this twisting action on your neck can become sore and lead to chronic neck pain; for those sleeping this way, a slim pillow may help ease this discomfort by keeping their head closer to the mattress and alleviating its pain.
Study results on the most popular sleeping positions showed that 28% of introverts and 21.1% of extroverts preferred the fetal position with arms over pillow and one knee raised; all other participants were evenly distributed between extrovert thinkers and feelers.
Stomach sleeping can be hazardous to your health because it jars the spine out of alignment and flattens out its natural curve, leading to backache and compressing your spinal cord. Luckily, it is possible to unlearn this bad habit over time by gradually switching into other positions.
About 7 percent sleep on their stomachs with their head looking off to the side
Among popular sleeping positions, the fetal position remains at the top. But stomach sleepers also enjoy lying with arms wrapped around pillows and their head turned slightly to one side – known as freefall sleeping position – which may present additional difficulties.
At its worst, an awkward neck position can compress nerves in your wrists and elbows, resulting in numbness or pain. Furthermore, having your spine out of alignment makes snoring more likely and leads to soreness throughout the day – both contributing factors in creating discomfort for those in this vulnerable state.
Stomach sleepers may also develop wrinkles and numbness in their hands due to prone sleeping positions that compress facial muscles, leading to compression in facial structures and leading to wrinkles and numbness in hands.
Researchers suggest that people who prefer sleeping on their stomach are more prone to being impulsive, compulsive, and irritable than those who prefer other sleeping positions. Therefore, if you’re a stomach sleeper, try breaking this habit by staying consistent with a new sleep routine over 21 days. A firm mattress will support your spine while sleeping.
About 7 percent sleep on their stomachs with their legs crossed
Stomach sleepers frequently pull one knee toward their chest while indulging in stomach sleeping, placing their spine into an unnatural and potentially painful position. Proping up with a pillow can promote better alignment and help avoid this position from adding further to back discomfort.
Sleeping face down (supine, or stomach) is more likely to lead to lower back and neck pain than sleeping on one’s side or back, as well as increasing the likelihood of snoring and sleep apnea, interfering with restful REM cycles by making movement throughout the night harder than usual, pushing facial features deeper into pillows causing wrinkles to appear sooner than otherwise, increasing stress sensitivity levels, as well as stimulating sexualized dreams, according to research findings.
People who sleep on their stomachs tend to experience feelings of being both extroverts and introverts, with more outgoing personality traits coming through during dreams than on any other sleep position. Although they’re less likely to sleepwalk or experience nightmares, back pain may become more prevalent and heartburn can increase significantly; ultimately they should consider altering their sleeping position, with chiropractor Andrew Bang offering some suggestions – including using a flat pillow under their pelvis in order to elevate it and prevent their spine curving or twisting while asleep – in order to lift it and protect their spine from curving or twisting during sleep.
About 7 percent sleep on their stomachs with their arms outstretched
People who sleep on their stomachs while hugging a pillow or crossing their legs are known as stargazers and enjoy feeling cozy when resting their heads against something soft like a pillow or crossing their legs. People who prefer starfish positions are likely more generous and supportive of personal relationships than other sleepers; they may also be more spontaneous and open to taking risks than others.
The fetal position is one of the most popular stomach sleeping positions, involving lying flat on the bed with one or both arms outstretched. According to research conducted by Purple, those who favor this sleeping posture tend to be ambitious and self-motivated individuals, leading healthy lifestyles with plenty of personal decision-making power and making their own choices. They can be quite social but may sometimes be suspicious of others who share similar interests.
Stomach sleeping has its drawbacks; neck pain and numbness may result from its weight. Furthermore, this position strains your back and causes your spine to overarch. However, there are ways to alleviate these problems; experts advise using a body pillow to prop up the head in alignment with the rest of the body, as well as wearing loose, comfortable clothing while sleeping. While making changes can be challenging at first, experts believe 14-21 days is usually sufficient time for making or breaking habits.
