On your back, on your stomach, on your side, but which side?
We all sleep differently, and many of us move our bodies during the journey to dreamland.
But according to science, there is actually a correct sleeping position if you want to avoid pain in joints and back.
On the website TheConversation, a professor and a PhD student have gone through the research, and although they conclude that the best sleeping position is the one you find comfortable, studies suggest that it is best for the body to lie on the side.
And perhaps it's something the body already knows. In a study with 664 sleepers, participants lay on their side on average 54 percent of the time, 37 percent on their back, and 7 percent on their stomach.
A Series of Tips for Better Sleep
Now that we have established the most optimal sleeping position, it's not the only thing that affects the quality of our hours under the duvet.
The authors of the article encourage us to find the right pillow for our preferred way of sleeping. For example, if it's too thin, it can cause muscle and joint problems, and the same can happen if you sleep with a pillow that's too thick.
On the other hand, there doesn't seem to be any difference in sleep quality when it comes to the contents of the pillow. Instead, it's the shape and height of the pillow that matter.
Furthermore, the researchers point out that the optimal temperature in the bedroom is 18.3 degrees Celsius (between 15 and 19 degrees), that you should ensure air circulation in the room, and that some forms of over-the-counter medication like antihistamines seem to make it easier to fall asleep.
And the last piece of advice: Make sure to visit the little house before bedtime, as it reduces the risk of having to get up several times during the night.
