You sleep on your front because that’s how you’re the most comfortable, right?
Well…
Comfort is misleading
Imagine you’re in a chair, just sitting. You’re comfortable, right?
However, it’s most likely that you have a crossed leg, are slouching or are bent towards either side and are supporting yourself on your elbow.
All of that is comfortable, yet bad for your spine in the long run.
So, comfort is misleading.
The impact of stomach sleeping on your spine
Posture is the eternal fight against gravity.
Once you’ve fallen asleep and everything is rested, then the only thing that’s pulling down on your spine is your body weight and the gravitational pull.
If your spine is not in a neutral position, then gravity is pulling your body weight away from your spine and down towards the bed.
So, you’re putting tension and pressure on your spine and the joints.
The impact of stomach sleeping on your neck
Your spine isn’t the only one suffering when you sleep on your front. Your neck is the most delicate part of your spine and it suffers too.
How?
Well, think of where your head is when you’re getting to sleep. It’s stretching your neck, either all the way left or all the way right.
And whichever way it is, you’re probably always sleeping on the same side, right?
This means that through the night, you’re extending muscles on one side of the neck, and allowing your muscles to shorten on the other side.
Stop sleeping on your stomach in 4 steps
Your spine and neck will thank you.
The easiest transition for front sleepers is towards side sleeping.
Many front sleepers partially sleep on their sides already. Just have a look at the photo below.
The ‘before’ picture is the most popular position we’ve come accross (we call it ‘Heavy Lifter’ and it’s the chosen sleeping position of 20% of the UK) – it is a hybrid between side and front sleeping.
So…
To transition from stomach to front sleeping, take these steps.
Do it as slowly or quickly as you like – you can give it a try for 20 minutes every night until you eventually fall asleep on your side.
- Start alternating the sides you sleep on. Whether you become a full-blown side sleeper, or still too attached to stomach sleeping to let go, alternate either the side you lie on or the side of your face that touches the pillow.
- If you cross one of your legs across the other, try putting a pillow between your knees and ankles to ‘force’ your hips into alignment. This will help your future side sleeper ambitions.
- Find your Levitex side sleeping pillow size (the optimum side lying position is ‘The Dreamer‘)
- If you are still struggling, grab another pillow and hug it in front of you. This will stop you rolling to your front at night.
Make sure you persist! Changing your lifelong habits is never easy. Only persistence and patience can help you transition to a different way of sleeping.
Your spine and neck will thank you.
