We spend roughly one-third of our lives lying down and sleeping. We know that sleeping is good for us, both physically and mentally, and there’s a reason why the term “beauty sleep” has been a popular expression since at least the 1800s. But why is sleep position so important? Here are some of the reasons why you should sleep on your back for the myriad of health benefits it provides.
Fewer Facial Wrinkles
Sleeping on your side or tummy leaves your face scrunched in an unnatural position on your pillow. The result is more pooling of fluids around the eyes, and wrinkles form called sleep lines. These lines form mainly around the mouth, the lateral cheek area, around the eyes, and as vertical lines on the forehead.
Training yourself to sleep on your back will prevent your face from rubbing on the pillow or mattress, which can not only prevent wrinkles but help prevent face asymmetry; a condition of uneven face volume and skin texture that dermatologists see when one has a habit of sleeping on their side. This is the number one reason why so many dermatologists want their patients to sleep on their backs.
Smoother Neck
The neck is prone to wrinkles just like the face. We all know that a wrinkled neck can not only show age but cause one to appear older than they are. Sleeping on your back will prevent the skin on your neck and chin from scrunching and extending to the side, which can lead to an aged look.
Smoother Cleavage
If you sleep on your side, the skin on your chest will begin to wrinkle. Though you may not realize it initially, you’ll get vertical lines in your cleavage over time. This will thin out the skin.
Alleviate Back and Neck Pain
Sleeping on your back can distribute weight more evenly across your muscles and skeletal system. When you sleep on your side, it can cause shoulder and neck pain, as your bones are compressed and remain as such throughout the night. Sleeping on your back can also alleviate pressure from your lower back, especially if you keep a pillow under your knees for a healthy spine position that can be maintained through the night without issues.
How to Get Comfortable Sleeping on Your Back
While sleeping on your back may seem like the solution, it is not that easy for many people to go from what they have been comfortable with all their lives to this new position. It may take a little practice, but it’s well worth the effort. Here are some tips that can help you transition from your current sleeping position to sleep on your back:
- Elevate your head on a few pillows, and then remove a pillow each time you get used to the position. When you get down to one pillow, try to find the height that doesn’t leave your neck too crooked, with your chin scrunched into your chest.
- Try supporting pillows on each side of your waist to stop you from naturally rolling over in your sleep. When you wake up in the night sleeping on your side or tummy, simply go back to the supine position.
- Relax your body part-by-part, beginning with your feet and working your way up to your head. This meditation/relaxation technique works wonders for many people.
- Raise the head of your bed 6 inches with bricks or wooden slabs.
Learn Other Strategies to Manage the Effects of Aging Today
Sleeping on your back is best for your skin and body as a whole. It is recommended that you sleep on your back to prevent wrinkles and sleep lines, arthritis, neck pain, and back pain. Sleeping on your side or tummy can leave you with long term effects that you may not even be aware of. Check out the Age Defying Video Program to learn what else you can do to mitigate the signs of aging.
