A good night's sleep is a big part of staying healthy. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a good night's sleep. In 2007, a study showed that 45% of people aged between 25 and 45 think that they get less sleep than they should be getting.
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However, good quality sleep is necessary to recharge our batteries and let our bodies rest. So, what position should we favour to get the best possible sleep?
Poor posture
In total, we spend almost a third of our lives sleeping, so you might as well be comfortable. Even if you have a good bed and a suitable pillow, you're probably making a mistake when it comes to your sleeping position, because according to scientists, ideally, you should sleep on your back with your eyes towards the ceiling.
However, only 8% of the world's population sleeps in this way. The rest prefer to sleep on their stomachs or on their sides in the foetal position.
According to Popular Science, sleeping on your back with your head straight allows your spine, head, and neck to be in a neutral position. Experts also believe that this prevents heartburn, as the head remains above the chest.
It's time to change your habits!
If you are not one of the 8% who sleeps on their back, there is still time to change your habits.
When you go to bed, place a pillow on each side of your body and one under your knees. This will prevent you from rolling over during the night. According to Shelby Harris, an expert in sleep medicine, your muscle memory will then allow you to fall asleep quickly on your back without having to use this ploy anymore. Clever, no?
If that doesn't work, here's a more radical way: sew tennis balls to the sides and front of your pyjamas. You won't want to sleep on anything but your back.
You can find more details about the dangers of forshortened nights in the video at the top of this article.