We enroll in Pilates primarily to strengthen our core, increase flexibility, and improve our overall well-being. In the journey, we’re being made aware of our posture and our movement patterns. We work so hard to improve both. So what happens toward the end of the day, when we’re ready to hit the sack?! Are we forgetting to apply everything we’ve learned to our ZZZ hours?!
Learning to sleep in correct posture is just as important!
Research has shown, that all that the human brain needs is for us to maintain a certain position for a minimum of twenty minutes, for it to be labeled as the new norm. Are you a stomach sleeper? Do you sleep on your side in the fetal position? On your back with your head resting on a mountain of pillows?
How do you wake up in the morning? Are you aching anywhere?
If you sleep on more than one pillow, you are possibly contributing to a forward head posture by allowing the neck flexors to excessively stretch. If you favor sleeping on your stomach,
this might cause back strain and can be uncomfortable for your neck especially if the mattress is sagging. Do you like to sleep with the bed sheets tight over your feet with your toes tucked into a
pointed position? You might be limiting your ankle mobility, which then extends to your entire body mechanics, and will affect standing and walking. And if you sleep on your side with one leg
bent and across your body, you might be contributing to or causing your back pain 😦
What is then the best position for sleeping or laying down?
No matter what position you lie in, the pillow should be under your head, but not your shoulders, and should be a thickness that allows your head to be in a normal position. The aim is to elongate the back side of our neck, and to strengthen the deep neck flexors. Ideally, sleep on a firm mattress and cover with loose and comfortable sheets and blankets. Try to sleep in a position which helps you maintain the natural curvature in your back, aka neutral spine. On your back with a pillow under your knees or a lumbar roll under your lower back for lumbar support; or on your side with your knees slightly bent, and a pillow between them.
What is your preferred sleep position? Care to share?
Mind Body Harmony's Blog 
Ask me what my favorite sleep position is 🙂
I used to have neck problems until I switched to a tempur-medic pillow and started sleeping (primarily) on my back. I’ve found I only dream when I sleep on my back too. Weird!
Gini, Tempur-pedic pillows are great! If you weren’t used to sleeping primarily on your back, it takes a while to get used to doing it. Several months passed by until I was finally able to get a good night sleep in the recommended position.
It figures that sleeping in a position that’s better for us be affects dreaming too.
Also~ If I start sleeping on my back, I wake in the exact same position (feels like I’ve been in a Sleeping Beauty coma lol). I only change positions if it isn’t optimal.
So funny you should mention that. I read somewhere a long time ago, that sleeping on our back prevents additional wrinkles from forming on our face. Perhaps this is how geishas maintain their flawless facial skin, aside from good genes and great sashimi…
I sleep on my back with way too many pillows under the head and neck, when I remember to lose all the pillows I always sleep better-sadly I usually watch tv to get to sleep a very bad habit-this article is inspiring me to get better sleep habits-thank you!
Thank you, Laurette, you are very kind!
~ [Sleep is] the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together. ~
Great Post! What do I do about my 75lb dog who sleeps diagonally and pushes me over to the edge of the bed? Unable to make any sleep pattern choices at this point. But he’s comfortable and sleeping well without any aches or pains. What I’ll do for the love of my furry companions 😉
Thanks, Laurel! Furry companions come first-they are the BEST! 🙂
My favorite sleeping position is having one pillow under my head and one pillow under my legs. I find it relaxing when I feel the softness of the pillow. Does sleeping position influence the way we dream? Coz when I change position and I feel uncomfortable I usually experience bad dreams.. Hahaha..
LOL, what a great idea that would be to find a correlation between sleep position and the way we dreams. Unfortunately I don’t have the answer to your question, but can speak from personal experience only: when the covers are too heavy and warm I have nightmares 🙂
Thank you for your comment!