Questions and Answers Version

Quality sleep is naturally vital to our physical and mental well-being towards a healthy and productive life. Following our weekly publication, here is an extract from the series for wide spread benefit.

Dear Doctor, 

Please, sir, does the position a person sleeps in affect the quality of sleep?

Thank you.

M. A.

Dear M. A.

When we sleep, the body works to restore and repair itself. This restorative process can be enhanced or hindered by so many factors such as sleep position.

The common sleep positions are sleeping on the back, the sides or the stomach. A good sleep position is one that supports the natural curvature of your spine from your hips all the way to your head. Notably, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. It’s easier to keep your spine supported and balanced in those two positions.

According to the Sleep Foundation, “the best sleep position for you is the one that enables you to enjoy a restful night of uninterrupted sleep and wake up in the morning feeling refreshed, without any aches and pains.” “If that describes your current sleep position, don’t feel forced to change it.”

Overall, our sleeping positions vary during sleep. We can change positions in our sleep many times a night! Many factors causing the multiple changes are entirely external, like how comfortable our mattress is and how our partner sleeps. Nobody is able to control the movements of the body during sleep. The body subconsciously adjusts to find comfort.

Quality mattresses and pillows resolves the differences and challenges with sleep positions. They conform to the body shape and maintains natural spine alignment. Similarly, a pillow has different sizes, thicknesses and firmness. It should be placed under the head & neck only, and not under the shoulders. It fills the natural hollow under the neck, between the head and shoulders. While lying on the side the lower hand should not be on the pillow; it can be under, in front of or away from the pillow. All of these arrangements ensure that the neck is in a neutral position, with the head, neck and backbone maintaining natural curves and being in alignment. This prevents and relieves neck pain.

So, ensure that you deliberately invest in quality products, while adopting good sleep habits.

Yours in service,

Dr Charles

Let us remember that when you sleep, where you sleep and how you sleep affect your mental health, physical well-being and living a healthy life. We all need quality sleep to be set for productivity in our endeavours.

Do you need further information on the above subject? Are you looking for ways to maintain quality sleep for general well-being and healthy living? Remember, a doctor is an appropriate person to offer relevant advice for the maintenance of quality sleep and solution to sleep difficulties. Do you want to contact the Orthopaedic Sleep Consultant, Dr Charles Uzodimma, kindly send your request to[email protected] OR Whatsapp 08129982143.

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc is the first foam manufacturing company in Nigeria to partner with a Sleep Expert in educating Nigerians on Quality Sleep for Healthy Living. They are truly passionate about quality sleep, healthy living and the general well-being of Nigerians. Vitafoam is proudly Nigerian and constantly supports Nigerians with consistent quality products for comfort and well-being. With Vitafoam, you don’t just sleep, they give you the comfort that gets you recharged. To learn more about Vitafoam, visit www.vitafoamng.com