Choose a good pillow and mattress
- Find a pillow well-suited to your collarbone structure.
- Ensure the pillow is firm enough to support the neck.
- Mattresses must often be softer to prevent pressure from building in the shoulders and hips.
Use pillows as barriers and supports
- Put a pillow between your knees to support your hips and lower back
- You can also hug a pillow to comfortably rest your upper arm.
- Invest in body pillows to maintain your position.
- Sew a tennis ball onto the back of a shirt to prevent yourself from rolling over.
Sleep on the couch at first
- Couches are often narrow and only have room for side sleeping anyway.
Disadvantages of Sleeping on Your Side
Although this position could provide many benefits, it’s not for everyone, especially those who use mattresses and pillows that make side sleeping uncomfortable. These disadvantages include:
- Pain in the shoulders and hips
Side sleeping on too-firm mattresses could increase pressure on the shoulders, hips, and knees. However, too-soft mattresses could cause the spine to go out of alignment and also cause pain.
- Pressure in the face
People with sinus congestion and glaucoma may experience painful or uncomfortable pressure in their faces when they lie on their sides. Additionally, it could worsen a tight or stiff jaw.
The Benefits and Disadvantages of Other Sleeping Positions
Ultimately, people should sleep in any way they feel most comfortable. But it’s important to consider how your sleep position could affect your body, for better or worse. You could also begin your nights on your left side and allow your body to assume whatever position it prefers. Also, sleeping on the right side also comes with benefits, so don’t stress about trying to retrain yourself if it’s not coming easily. Similarly, there are pros and cons to sleeping on the back and stomach.
Sleeping on your back
Benefits – It may help with:
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Sinus congestion
- Bursitis
Sleeping on your stomach
Still, here are some tips for those who can’t switch to their side:
- Use a flat pillow or none at all.
- Don’t tuck your arms under your pillow or head, since this could cause arm numbness or shoulder joint pain.
- Alternate the sides of your head to avoid neck pain.
- Don’t lift your leg to one side with a bent knee since this could worsen back issues.
