Inclined Bed Therapy can really add to a person’s overall health and wellbeing. This is a longstanding practice that has science to back it up, and interestingly, some archeologists believe there is evidence that the ancient Egyptians practiced this way of sleeping. Here are some things to know about Inclined Bed Therapy and how it might be a practice that you want to integrate into your anti-aging routine.
What is Inclined Bed Therapy?
Inclined Bed Therapy is sleeping on a bed with the head of the bed lifted 6 inches (15cm), leading to a constant incline of around 5%. The result is that you sleep with your head higher than the rest of your body.
Benefits of Inclined Bed Therapy
Inclined Bed Therapy comes with incredible benefits like improved metabolism and circulation. You can enjoy better brain health when sleeping on an incline, which many of us know becomes more important as we age. During sleep, the brain becomes awash with cerebrospinal fluids that help remove heavy metals, pathogens, and other debris. Called the glymphatic system, the brain relies on this fluid to remove waste and blood in exchange for fresh, oxygen, and nutrient-rich blood while we sleep.
Lying flat as you sleep slows the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, adding pressure to the inside of the skull. Some doctors believe this lack of drainage may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related problems as old protein and other debris build up in the brain instead of being rinsed out with the fluid.
Other benefits of Inclined Bed Therapy include:
- Clearer sinuses
- Less eye and face puffiness upon awakening
- Fewer headaches and migraines
- Improved memory
- Lower blood pressure
Other benefits include less snoring and lower incidents of sleep apnea, which allow the brain to get more oxygen through the night.
How to Get Started With Inclined Bed Therapy
When we consider how our bodies function through the night, these benefits make sense. And the best part is you don’t need any special equipment or bed to try it.
To try Inclined Bed Therapy yourself, simply lift the head of your bed by 3.5 to 6 inches. Some people use books, bricks, or blocks of wood, but you can also purchase bed risers that are nonslip and fit under the feet of the bed.
Keep in mind that Inclined Bed Therapy is not the same as raising the head of your bed with extra pillows or adjusting the top part of an adjustable bed. The entire bed should be at an incline, ideally at 5% all the way down. Some people feel relief from snoring and puffiness right away, while others claim it takes six months to feel the full health benefits. If 6 inches feels like too much, start with just an inch lift and work your way up.
Learn Other Practical Anti-Aging Strategies Today
When we are inclined in bed, no matter which position we sleep in, gravity is positively acting upon the digestive system by helping to move food more quickly, which helps to prevent constipation or diarrhea. Learn more about IBT by watching my video on YouTube.
Check out the Age Defying Video Program to learn some other strategies that can help you stop the signs of aging.
