A viral photo on Twitter has social media users comparing their sleeping positions. The chart shows 18 different options, starting from sleeping straight on one’s back to curling up around a pillow, and a few positions look harder to sleep in than others.
TODAY co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager even talked with Kathie Lee Gifford about which positions they themselves prefer.
“You’re alleged to define which one you’re,” Hoda said. When the chart was shown to the three women, they were baffled by a number of illustrations.
I’m a No. 9, which are you?
(also if anyone says they are a 13 just what are you doing lol) pic.twitter.com/YkDyiKiJLX
— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) January 20, 2020
“Wait. What’s happening here?” asked Hoda, while Jenna acknowledged that one among the choices seemed like a “frog position.”
Finally, though, Jenna decided that she slept “kind of on her back,” while Hoda and Kathie Lee both said that they were side sleepers — an edge which will help with quite just getting an honest night’s rest.
A recent study from Stony Brook University examined how sleep position can affect the brain and located that side sleeping could also be best for health. They examined rats and located that sleeping on the side made it easier for the brain to eliminate amyloid-beta. Although the research awaits testing in humans, the researchers speculated that side sleeping helps filter out waste from the brain.
Between 50 to 70 million U.S. adults accept sleep disorders and 30 percent of USA citizens struggle with poor sleep habits, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control. Bad sleep contributes to several health problems, including disorder, obesity, diabetes, and dementia. This study increases the understanding of how sleep contributes to dementia.
“These studies are important because they assist shine a light-weight on the underlying mechanisms so we will understand the physiology of sleep,” said Dr. Carol Ash, director of sleep medicine at Meridian Health New Jersey. “Simple changes in behavior become easy thanks to intervening and maybe stop the method of dementia before it starts.”
1. Side sleepers
In people, side sleeping opens the airways and improves airflow.People can train themselves to sleep on their sides, a bit like they will prime themselves to possess good sleep habits. Pregnant women should consider sleeping on their left sides because it increases blood flow to the uterus.
2. Back sleepers
People with apnea, cardiac disease, acid reflux or nervous disorder with impaired swallowing often sleep inclined on their backs.
“Back sleepers, what that does is help to distribute the load more evenly,” said Ash.
People without health issues can sleep on their backs if they need — it improves the alignment of their spines and neck and may cause less pain.
For people with back pain, either sleep on your back with pillows under your knees or on your side with pillows between your knees. Both positions help maintain the spine’s natural curvature.
3. Stomach sleepers
“If you’ve got health or breathing problems, stomach sleeping is often a drag, but if you enjoy it, sleep on your stomach if it gives you good rest,” advised Ash, who noted this position doesn’t provide any health benefits.