Sleep positions might seem like any other quirky part of your personality, but they can actually impact how long you live.
Yes, it's true: Not all sleep positions are created equal. Of all of them, there's one sleep position doctors say is the best for expanding your lifespan.
Tonight, get comfortable and lie on your side. Yes, sleeping on your left side is often linked to health benefits that contribute to a longer, healthier life. Here's why:
It improves circulation
The reason sleeping on the left side helps with circulation is that it reduces pressure on the vena cava, a large vein that carries blood back to the heart. Andrew E. Colsky, JD, LLM, LPC, LMHC, a mental health counselor and founder at the National Sleep Center, says this is most important for pregnant women or people with heart conditions.
Related: The Best Sleeping Position for Avoiding Acid Reflux
It puts less pressure on the spine
If you're someone who likes to curl up sideways in a fetal position, Dr. Okubadejo says this can provide relief for your back. It's also the most recommended position for people with herniated discs.
Second Place Goes to...Lying Flat on Your Back
Lying on your back comes in second, sleeping position-wise. According to Dr. Okubadejo, lying flat on your back helps disperse weight more evenly across the body. Doing so takes pressure off the spine, joints and muscles. To maintain the natural curve in your lower back, Dr. Okubadejo recommends slipping a small pillow under your knees.
That being said, if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, it's best to avoid sleeping on your back if possible. "This is because when you sleep on your back, it is easiest for your airway to collapse due to gravity," Colsky explains. Because sleep apnea is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and even sudden cardiac death, it's best to avoid sleeping on your back if you potentially have this condition." If you believe you have obstructive sleep apnea or a sleep issue, talk to a sleep doctor.
Sleeping on your stomach was voted the worst among experts for longevity, says Dr. Messier. Regularly sleeping on your stomach contributes to neck and spinal strain, impaired breathing and nerve compression.
If you can't fall asleep unless you lie on your stomach, Dr. Okubadejo recommends using a very flat pillow or no pillow and placing a small cushion under your hips to reduce tension on your lower back.
Other Sleep Factors That Impact Longevity
"Most of the research has looked at how certain postures influence specific health risks, which can in turn effect life expectancy, but no large-scale epidemiological study has linked a single best sleeping posture with increased lifespan," says Dr. Chelsea Perry, DMD, a sleep medicine physician and owner of Sleep Solutions and Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
"Rather than fixating on sleep position, which is largely involuntary and very hard to change, your best bet for a longer life is to aim for consistent, restorative sleep," Dr. Perry advises.
Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Sources
Dr. Helen Messier, Ph.D, MD, is a longevity expert and chief medical and science officer at Fountain Life.Andrew E. Colsky, JD, LLM, LPC, LMHC, is a mental health counselor and founder at the National Sleep Center.Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, is a spinal and orthopedic surgeon at The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care.Dr. Chelsea Perry, DMD, a sleep medicine physician and owner of Sleep Solutions and Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine Read More Details
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