Some sleep on their back, some on their side, while others prefer to lie on their stomach: each one of us has their own favorite sleeping position. Can the way we sleep affect the quality of sleep itself? We asked Doctor Lara Fratticci, neurologist at Humanitas for answers.
“Sleep is important, and it has many beneficial effects on our body: it helps restore nutrients, regain strength and let our mind rest. We should not only sleep, but sleep well: the position we take during the night deeply affects the quality of our sleep”, Dr. Fratticci explains.
Is it better on your back or on your side?
The best positions are on the back and on the side. “Sleeping on your back will help your muscles stretch, it will avoid pain, tension and contractions, and it will lessen the risk of gastroesophageal reflux.
Sleeping on your side is good too, especially if you sleep in fetal position flexing your legs. In fact, this position opposes lumbar lordosis. Instead you should not sleep on your stomach, because this position increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux”, Dr. Fratticci explains.
“The best – she highlights – is changing position during the night. This will make your sleep a restorative, effective one, and it will ensure that your sleep is not interrupted by tensions or inconveniences due to wrong positions. You should also be free to move in the bed, without constraining blankets or comforters”, Dr. Fratticci says.
