How to get a good nights sleep when you sleep on your stomach.
Stomach sleeping is not a popular choice when it comes to sleeping positions. Only 16% of the population sleep on their stomach. Unfortunately for those who do favor sleeping on their stomach, it is not a good sleep position. When you sleep on your stomach it pushes your spine out of its natural alignment which will result in neck and pain. It is for this reason that finding the right pillow, like the Elite Rest ultra slim sleeper, is essential. If your back does not have the right support, you will sleep uncomfortably and will wake up exhausted.
Why Is Stomach Sleeping Bad?
When you lie on your stomach for extended periods, it pushes your spine out of its natural shape. Not only does it place pressure on your spine but it will also put pressure on your hips and abdomen and because you have to turn your head to one side, your neck is also at risk. Breathing can also be harder when you sleep on your stomach and you are at risk of your airways potentially becoming blocked.
As a result of this, you don’t sleep soundly and will probably find yourself waking up regularly. Due to this, you will wake up exhausted. We all know the negative effects of a lack of sleep. We know it can be hard to break habits, finding a pillow to sleep with can help to make sleeping on your stomach more comfortable.
Top Tips for Stomach Sleeping
If you do like to sleep on your stomach, there are a few things you can do to make the quality of sleep you are receiving better.
- Keep trying to change your position. When you fall asleep try to stay on your back or side as much as possible. If you wake up during the night and are back on your stomach, flip over again to your side or back. If you keep doing this, it will eventually become second nature and will reduce the amount of time you spend on your back.
- Keep your legs flat.When you are lying on your stomach, make sure your legs are both flat and straight. If one of your legs is bent or resting on a pillow it pushes your spine further out of alignment.
- Stretch Regularly. Stretching is always a good idea. It can also help to alleviate any pain you are experiencing while you sleep. If you are a belly sleeper, find some yoga poses, like a child’s pose that will help to stretch your pelvis and spine. Do these stretches before bed and when you wake up.
- Align Your Body. When you fall asleep on your stomach, you want to keep your body as aligned as possible. You want to keep your hips and back straight with your hands by your side. This is the best way to sleep as a stomach sleeper to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.
- Place a Pillow Under Your Pelvis. Find a thin, flat pillow and place it under your pelvis while you sleep. This pillow will help to keep the curve of your spine by lifting it slightly. If the pressure on your pelvis is reduced you will sleep better.
- Find the Right Pillow. There are pillows that have been specifically made for stomach sleepers. These pillows offer support for the entire body without forcing it out of alignment. A good pillow will also have spinal support for your whole body so that you can sleep on your stomach in comfort.
The Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Elite Rest Latex Slim Sleeper
Stomach sleepers need a thin pillow, the thinner the better in fact. Elite Rest have created an ultra-thin latex pillow specifically for stomach sleepers. It is only 2.75 inches thick but it will provide spinal alignment as well as improved breathing. When your back and neck are aligned, you relax and fall asleep. The pin-hole technology that has been used in this pillow will ensure that you stay cool all night long by ensuring maximum ventilation. This is also a natural pillow made from latex creating a chemical-free, anti-fungal pillow.
Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow
Another super thin pillow, the Belly Sleep Pillow has been designed with the needs of stomach sleepers in mind. The curved edges of the pillow reduce the need for your head to rotate, this means that your head remains in a neutral position while you sleep. The stable positioning of your head will also lead to improved breathing and a reduction in snoring. Stomach sleepers are prone to overheat, the moisture-wicking case of this pillow prevents that. It keeps the moisture away so that you are kept cool all through the night.
Perform Thin Pillow
The Perform Pillow provides your body with ergonomic support for both your head and neck by distributing your weight evenly. The result of this is that you will be tossing and turning less during the night and will be able to fall asleep easily and stay asleep all through the night. Made from memory foam, this pillow offers you luxurious support while providing you a soft place to lay your head. The bamboo cover of the pillow keeps you cool while you sleep and it is possible to remove the cover and it is machine washable.
While sleeping on your stomach is not recommended and can result in pain in your neck and back, it is the position many people prefer to sleep in. One of the ways you can ease the pain associated with stomach sleeping is to add a thin pillow to your sleep routine. Elite Rest has a great slim sleeper that has been designed specifically for stomach sleepers.
Everyone sleeps differently. If you are a stomach sleeper and are struggling with neck pain, look at sleeping on one of these pillows that have been specifically designed to give stomach sleepers the right amount of support while they sleep. One of the negative effects of sleeping on your stomach is that you toss and turn and wake up tired, all of these stomach pillows help your body relax so that you can sleep soundly all night long. These are all thin pillows that will not further push your spine out of alignment.