Is it unhealthy to sleep on your stomach?

It is a common and common assumption that sleeping on your stomach is unhealthy. We looked at the extent to which it is scientifically sound.

Sleeping position plays an important role in the quality of our sleep and our overall well-being. Some people prefer to sleep on their stomachs. However, one hears again and again that sleeping on your stomach is supposed to be unhealthy. And indeed: sleeping on your stomach is considered one of the unhealthiest and puts a particular strain on your back and neck.

Sleeping on your stomach: Unhealthy or recommended?

The sleeping position on your stomach has a decisive advantage: it can help people to reduce snoring. By turning the head to the side and keeping the airways open, snoring is reduced and dangerous breathing stops in particular are prevented.

However, there are a number of potential negative effects of lying on your stomach. The neck and spine in particular are affected. Because when you sleep on your stomach, it’s difficult to maintain a neutral spinal position. The reason for this is that most of the weight is in the middle of the body. This makes it difficult to keep the spine in a neutral position while sleeping. Also, because the spine is a nerve conduit, stress on the spine can cause pain anywhere in the body, according to Healthline. This can also promote sleep disorders and thus affect the general well-being.

Sleeping on your stomach is also unhealthy because it puts a lot of strain on your neck. Because this is often turned to the side, which can lead to muscle tension and pain. Over time, this can trigger chronic neck and back problems, according to Healthline magazine.

Adopt a healthy sleeping position

To transition to a healthier sleeping position, here are some alternatives to sleeping on your stomach:

1. Supine: Sleeping on your back is often considered the best sleeping position for your spine. It allows for natural alignment of the spine and reduces the risk of neck and back pain. To make sleeping on your back easier, the Mayo Clinic recommends placing a flat pillow under your knees to provide lumbar support. It also makes sense to support the neck with an individually fitting pillow.

2. Side position: Sleeping on your side is also a good option as long as your spine stays straight. To keep your spine in a straight position, you can place a pillow between your knees.

3. Half-side position: If you’re having a hard time changing your sleeping position completely, you can try sleeping on your side, but slightly twisting your torso to the side to take less stress on your stomach. This semi-lateral position can help reduce some of the negative effects of sleeping on your stomach.

Conclusion: Sleeping on your stomach is unhealthy

In general, it is actually unhealthy to sleep on your stomach because you put a lot of strain on your back. In the long term, it is advisable to switch to a healthier sleeping position. This can help you reduce back and neck problems and increase the quality of your sleep. Note, however, that the ideal sleeping position may look different for everyone. So it’s best to try it yourself, pay attention to your body signals and find out for yourself which position causes the least discomfort.

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