How You Sleep May Damage Your Health
By Sara Butler
Interrupted sleep accounts for a lot of health issues. Lost sleep can be prevented if you know what you should be looking for. There are several things that can make getting enough quality sleep difficult for you. Analyzing your sleeping habits is a great place to start. Here are a few of the most common mistakes that cost people quality sleep.
Stomach Sleeping
Sleeping on your stomach is one of the worst things you can do, but it’s also one of the most easily changed habits. The reason it’s so bad for you is that it puts pressure on the muscles that support the spine as well as the spine itself. This leads to increased pressure on the lower back and neck that can result in stiffness and pain. Eventually, this will cause imbalances that result in instability in the way the body works as a whole.
You can fix this by trying to train yourself to sleep on your back or side. This can be accomplished with the creative use of pillows to keep you from rolling over on your stomach.
Sleeping on an Older Mattress
Did you know your mattress should be replaced every eight years or so? The manufacturer usually provides recommendations, but the average life of a mattress probably isn’t as long as you think. Most Americans are sleeping on mattresses that are old and worn out and don’t offer the proper support to their spine as they sleep. This results in restless sleep and sleep loss, on top of an aching back.
Constant tossing and turning is a big problem when you’re trying to get some rest. Check with the manufacturer of your mattress and invest in a new mattress to help you sleep better at night.
Using the Wrong Pillow
If the average age of a mattress blew your mind, then look out because pillows will too! Your pillow has a lifespan, too. While it might be sentimental to you, if it’s not providing proper support for your neck and back as you sleep, then you need one that does. If a pillow is too thin or too thick, it can cause problems that result in a poor night’s sleep. Remedy this issue by replacing your pillow every couple of years and investing in an orthopedic or cervical pillow that provides adequate support.
Sleep is important to your health and wellness. Make sure you're doing what you can to make your sleep the best it can possibly be!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Columbus, Ohio.