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Nightmares When Sleeping on Back: How Sleep Positions Affect Dreams

Can changing your sleep position alter your dreams. How does sleeping on your back influence nightmares. What are the effects of different sleep positions on dream content. Which sleep position is best for avoiding nightmares.

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The Impact of Sleep Positions on Dream Content

Recent research has shed light on the intriguing connection between sleep positions and dream experiences. While comfort remains paramount for quality sleep, emerging evidence suggests that your sleeping posture may play a role in shaping the content and intensity of your dreams.

A study conducted by researchers at Hong Kong Shue Yan University explored this relationship by analyzing survey data from 670 students. The findings reveal surprising correlations between specific sleep positions and the nature of dreams reported by participants.

Common Sleep Positions and Their Prevalence

Before delving into the dream-related aspects, it’s important to understand the distribution of sleep positions among the general population. A survey conducted by mattress manufacturer Tempur-Pedic provides insight into the sleeping habits of Americans:

  • Side sleeping: Over 50% of respondents
  • Back sleeping: 17% of respondents
  • Stomach sleeping: 11% of respondents

This data highlights the prevalence of side sleeping as the most common position, with back and stomach sleeping being less frequent choices.

Stomach Sleeping and Vivid Dreams

One of the most striking findings from the Hong Kong Shue Yan University study relates to stomach sleepers. Despite being the least common sleep position, stomach sleeping appears to be associated with more intense and vivid dream experiences.

Erotic and Intense Dreams

Participants who reported sleeping on their stomachs described their dreams as more:

  • Intense
  • Vivid
  • Sexual in nature

Interestingly, stomach sleepers also reported an increased frequency of dreams involving feelings of being “tied,” “locked up,” or “unable to move.” This raises questions about the potential influence of physical pressure on dream content.

Theories Behind Stomach Sleeping and Dream Intensity

Dr. Calvin Kai-Ching Yu, the lead researcher of the study, proposes that the physical pressure experienced when sleeping face-down may contribute to the heightened dream experiences. He suggests that “different sleep positions may create pressure to different parts of the body, and body feelings may be the sources of dream elements.”

This theory aligns with the observations of Dr. Michael J. Breus, a clinical psychologist and sleep expert. Dr. Breus notes that stomach sleepers may experience more restricted movement compared to those sleeping on their sides or backs, potentially influencing dream content.

Side Sleeping and Dream Experiences

Side sleeping, being the most common sleep position, has also been associated with specific dream characteristics. Interestingly, the side on which you sleep may influence the emotional tone of your dreams.

Right-Side vs. Left-Side Sleeping

Studies have revealed a notable difference in dream experiences between right-side and left-side sleepers:

  • Right-side sleepers: Reported more positive dreams and fewer nightmares
  • Left-side sleepers: Experienced a higher frequency of nightmares

This finding suggests that the choice of sleeping side may have implications for the emotional content of dreams.

Medical Considerations for Side Sleeping

Beyond dream experiences, the choice of sleeping side can have medical implications, particularly for individuals with certain health conditions:

For those suffering from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleeping on the left side is often recommended. Dr. Breus explains, “GERD is a frequent cause of sleeplessness and could affect dream content. Sleeping on the left side keeps your stomach below your esophagus, and gravity may help with reflux.”

Conversely, right-side sleeping may exacerbate GERD symptoms, potentially leading to dreams involving sensations of swallowing or burning.

Back Sleeping and Its Effects on Dreams

Sleeping on one’s back, also known as the supine position, has been associated with specific dream-related phenomena and potential health concerns.

Nightmares and Dream Recall

Research indicates that back sleepers may experience:

  • More frequent nightmares
  • Difficulty remembering dreams

Dr. Yu notes, “Studies have shown that people who sleep on their backs experience more nightmares and find it harder to remember their dreams.”

Sleep Disorders and Breathing Issues

Back sleeping has been linked to an increased likelihood of certain sleep-related breathing disorders:

  • Snoring
  • Sleep apnea

These conditions can significantly impact sleep quality and may influence dream intensity. Dr. Yu explains, “Breathing-related sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, have been found to have significant impacts on the intensity of dreaming.”

Physical Discomfort

Some individuals may experience lower back pain when sleeping on their backs, which could potentially affect sleep quality and dream experiences.

The Complexities of Sleep Position and Dream Research

While the findings regarding sleep positions and dream experiences are intriguing, it’s important to note the limitations and complexities of this area of research.

Methodology Considerations

Dr. Yu acknowledges that more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sleep positions and dreams. The current study relied on self-reported data, which has inherent limitations:

  • Participants filled out surveys about their dreams after waking up
  • Sleep positions were not monitored during the night
  • The accuracy of self-reported sleep positions is uncertain

Future studies incorporating objective sleep monitoring techniques could provide more robust data on the relationship between sleep positions and dream experiences.

Multiple Sleep Positions

It’s worth noting that many people change positions throughout the night. In the Hong Kong Shue Yan University study, 194 out of 670 participants reported sleeping in two or more positions with similar frequency.

This variability in sleep positions raises questions about which position most significantly influences dream content. Dr. Yu suggests that the position you find yourself in upon waking may be particularly relevant, as dreams often occur during the final stages of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in the morning.

External Influences on Dreams

While sleep position may play a role in shaping dream experiences, it’s crucial to consider the multitude of factors that can influence dreams. Dr. Yu emphasizes that external influences can have a major effect on dream content, such as:

  • Recent emotional experiences
  • Consumption of certain foods or beverages
  • Exposure to media (e.g., watching a scary movie before bed)
  • Environmental factors (e.g., noise, temperature)

These variables highlight the complex nature of dream experiences and the need for comprehensive research approaches.

Practical Considerations for Sleep Position and Dream Management

Given the potential influence of sleep positions on dream experiences, you might be tempted to alter your sleeping posture. However, experts caution against making drastic changes solely for the purpose of influencing dreams.

Prioritizing Comfort and Sleep Quality

Dr. Yu advises against changing your sleep position purely to alter dream content. He emphasizes that sleeping in an unfamiliar or unnatural position can interfere with sleep quality, potentially leading to:

  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Frequent awakenings during the night
  • Reduced overall sleep duration

The potential benefits of altered dream experiences may not outweigh the costs of compromised sleep quality.

Addressing Specific Sleep Concerns

If you’re experiencing persistent sleep issues or troubling dreams, consider the following approaches:

  1. Consult a sleep specialist: A professional can help identify underlying causes of sleep disturbances or frequent nightmares.
  2. Practice good sleep hygiene: Establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and optimize your sleep environment.
  3. Address medical conditions: If you suffer from GERD or sleep apnea, work with your healthcare provider to manage these conditions effectively.
  4. Explore dream management techniques: Practices such as keeping a dream journal or learning lucid dreaming techniques may help you gain more control over your dream experiences.

Finding Your Ideal Sleep Position

Ultimately, the best sleep position is one that allows you to feel comfortable and wake up feeling refreshed. If you’re curious about experimenting with different sleep positions, consider these tips:

  • Make gradual changes: Slowly adjust your sleep position over time to allow your body to adapt.
  • Use supportive pillows: Proper pillow placement can help maintain proper alignment in various sleep positions.
  • Listen to your body: Pay attention to how different sleep positions affect your comfort and sleep quality.

The Future of Sleep Position and Dream Research

As our understanding of sleep and dreams continues to evolve, research into the relationship between sleep positions and dream experiences represents an exciting frontier in sleep science.

Potential Areas for Future Study

To further elucidate the connection between sleep positions and dreams, future research could explore:

  • Objective monitoring of sleep positions throughout the night
  • The role of sleep position in emotional processing during dreams
  • Individual differences in the relationship between sleep position and dream content
  • The potential therapeutic applications of sleep position adjustment for managing nightmare disorders

Implications for Sleep Medicine and Dream Therapy

A deeper understanding of how sleep positions influence dreams could have significant implications for various fields:

  • Sleep medicine: Developing targeted interventions for sleep disorders based on sleep position
  • Dream therapy: Incorporating sleep position considerations into techniques for managing nightmares or enhancing positive dream experiences
  • Cognitive neuroscience: Gaining insights into the relationship between physical posture and mental processes during sleep

As research in this area progresses, it may open up new avenues for improving sleep quality and harnessing the potential benefits of dream experiences.

The Importance of Interdisciplinary Approaches

To fully unravel the complexities of sleep positions and dreams, collaboration across various disciplines will be crucial. This may include:

  • Sleep researchers
  • Neuroscientists
  • Psychologists
  • Physiologists
  • Biomedical engineers

By combining diverse perspectives and methodologies, researchers can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between our physical posture during sleep and the rich world of our dreams.

Can Changing Your Sleep Position Alter Your Dreams? – Sleep Center

Do you sleep on your side, your back, or your stomach? There’s new evidence that changing your sleep position could influence your dreams, but this kind of change might not be the best idea for your health.

Experts say there is no perfect sleep position. The first rule for sweet dreams and a restful night of sleep is to be comfortable. For many people, that means starting off on one side. More than half of the 2,000 Americans surveyed for mattress maker Tempur-Pedic reported that they slept on their sides, 17 percent slept on their backs, and 11 percent on their stomachs.

Though stomach sleepers are in the minority, they seem to be having the most erotic dreams. In fact, a study published in the journal Dreaming found that switching to your stomach might be better than reading Fifty Shades of Grey. Dream experts at Hong Kong Shue Yan University studied surveys from 670 students, two-thirds of them female, and found that students who slept on their stomachs described their dreams as more intense, vivid, and sexual. Students who slept face down also reported dreams of being “tied,” “locked up,” or “unable to move.”

Lead researcher Calvin Kai-Ching Yu, PhD, says that physical pressure on the body when sleeping facedown could be the reason for the erotic dreams. “Different sleep positions may create pressure to different parts of the body, and body feelings may be the sources of dream elements,” says Yu.

The findings make sense to New York clinical psychologist and sleep expert Michael J. Breus, PhD, because people sleeping on their bellies may be more restricted in their movement than those on their sides or backs.

How Sleep Positions Influence Dreams (and Nightmares)

Yu believes that if you change your sleep position, your dreams will change too, but he doesn’t recommend it. Sleeping in an unfamiliar or unnatural sleep position interferes with the quality of your sleep. You may pay a high price in the morning for sexier dreams at night.

Each sleep position can influence your dreams — for better or worse — and your overall sleep.

On your side. Sleeping laterally is the most common sleep position. Studies have found that right-side sleepers experienced more positive dreams and fewer nightmares than left-side sleepers.

For people with heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), doctors say the left side is best. “GERD is a frequent cause of sleeplessness and could affect dream content,” explains Breus. “Sleeping on the left side keeps your stomach below your esophagus, and gravity may help with reflux. Sleeping on your right side may cause you to dream of swallowing or burning.”

On your back. Sleeping supine, or on your back, may lead to lower back pain, and it could cause other problems that may alter your dreams. The face-up position may lead to snoring, encourage sleep apnea, and interfere with restful sleep.

“Studies have shown that people who sleep on their backs experience more nightmares and find it harder to remember their dreams,” says Yu. “Breathing-related sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, have been found to have significant impacts on the intensity of dreaming.”

On your stomach. Despite the reports of erotic dreams, “you should avoid sleeping face down with your face against the pillow,” says Yu. People who sleep on their stomachs report increased restlessness caused by frequent tossing and turning to get comfortable. Sleeping prone, on your stomach, may also put strain on your lower back and cause neck pain.

Multiple positions. Many people sleep in more than one position, changing positions during the night. Of the 670 Shue Yan University students surveyed, 194 reported sleeping in two or more positions with a similar frequency. The sleep position you find yourself in when you wake up could be the one that’s influencing your dreams. Dreams usually happen during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when the brain is very active. REM sleep occurs three to four times a night, and the final stint of REM sleep, when dreams are most vivid, takes place late in the sleep cycle, usually in the morning before you wake up.

Yu says more research on sleep position and dreams needs to be done. The students in his study weren’t monitored as they slept; they filled out surveys about their dreams after they woke up, and he says that “the accuracy of self-reported sleep positions is uncertain.” Outside influences also can have a major effect on dreams, he adds. So, before you flip over, keep in mind it could just be that scary movie, spicy Chinese food, or rattling window that’s causing your unusual dreams.

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Your Sleep Position Affects Much More Than You Think

Source: Deposit Photo

We all have a favorite sleep position, the one we happily settle into, without even thinking about it, at the end of a long day. What’s yours? Mine is on my stomach (I know, it’s terrible), but I am usually on my right side, because my French Bulldog is snoring on my right side.

Sleep position is definitely a matter of preference. But it’s a lot more than that. Our sleep positions have a wide range of effects on the body. Think about it: You spend roughly one-third of your life asleep—that means one-third of your time is spent relatively motionless in a handful of sleep postures. These sleep postures can affect how well and how much we sleep and have an impact on our health. There’s research that indicates sleep position influences our dreams, and even has a connection to our personality!

Read on to find out how your sleep position might be helping (or hurting) your health and sleep, and what your sleep posture might say about who you are and how you dream.

It’s usually best to go with what is most comfortable, as long as it does not cause pain (back or neck pain in particular).

Factors that affect sleep position

When we think about sleep positions, comfort is the first factor that comes to mind. Our sleep position preferences are highly individual. You might feel squished sleeping on your stomach, but your bed partner loves it. The curled-up fetal sleep posture that feels just right to you makes your bed partner feel cramped and stiff.

Comfort is one significant factor, but it’s not the only one. There are other, often less discernible factors influencing the sleep positions we choose.

Age

As we age, more of us gravitate to a side sleeping position. Research shows that side sleep posture begins to become a preference in early adulthood, and grows increasingly so as we get older. Studies show that, in particular, a preference for right-side sleeping emerges during older adulthood. There are indications that this preference for right-side sleeping in older adulthood may be a way of protecting heart function during sleep—but scientists aren’t sure about this explanation, yet.

With age, we also move around less during the night, shifting positions less frequently and spending more time in one sleeping position before moving to the next. Research shows children shift sleep position more than twice as often throughout the night than adults over 65 do. Anyone who has had their child in bed with them, knows this to be very true!

In general, sleep position matters more with age. Older adults face more health challenges, including challenges to sleep. Older bodies are less flexible and more prone to stiffness and pain. You might not have thought about your sleep position at all in your 20s. But by your 40s or 50s and beyond, your sleep position can have a significant impact on how comfortably and soundly you sleep.

Gender

Like many other aspects of sleep, men and women have different preferences and different needs when it comes to sleep position. Studies suggest that women are twice as likely to prefer sleeping in a fetal position as men are.

Women’s sleep position becomes even more important during pregnancy. It’s recommended that pregnant women don’t sleep on their backs, but switch to a side sleeping position. The American Pregnancy Association recommends a left-side sleeping position for pregnant women. Sleeping on the left side during pregnancy increases the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta. For pregnant women, sleeping on the back can create back pain, problems with breathing, and heartburn. A back sleep position can lower blood pressure and reduce circulation in pregnant women.

As you’ll soon read, there are a whole range of health factors that influence what makes the right sleep position for each of us.

Sleep position, personality, and dreaming

This is some pretty fun, interesting science. There’s not a lot of research into the topic, but some scientists and body language experts have looked into connections between sleep position and personality. According to their work, our sleep position can reveal insights about our personalities, our mood, and our approach to life.

Sleeping on your back is associated with self-confidence. Back sleepers may also be stubborn and have high expectations for themselves and other people. Depending on whether you sleep with your arms down at your sides (reserved) or arms and legs outstretched (relaxed, open-minded) might also have an influence.

Sleeping on your stomach is linked to defensiveness, as well as perfectionism and sensitivity to criticism. Researchers point to a tendency for stomach sleepers to feel overwhelmed and lacking control in their lives.

Side sleeping (which tends to be very popular) is linked to being relaxed, open-minded, and able to compromise. Whether you sleep on your right side (more likely to smoke and rely on caffeine) left side (creative, well educated), with your arms at your sides (trusting and possibly gullible, also maybe rigid thinkers) or arms outstretched (tough on oneself and others, possibly suspicious, also curious about the world) may also influence your personality, outlook, and behavior.

Sleeping in a fetal position, research suggests, is associated with sensitivity and anxiety, as well as a desire for comfort. Fetal position sleepers may be conscientious and organized, with a tendency to overthink things. Initially shy, research says underneath that reserve they’re warm-hearted.

And what about dreams? Research suggests a correlation between sleep position and dream type. If you sleep on your side and experience disturbing dreams, you might want to consider switching sides? Right-side sleepers may experience fewer nightmares than left-side sleepers. Back sleepers also may be more likely to have nightmares—and research indicates they may also have a harder time recalling their dreams. Stomach sleepers, according to studies, experience dreams that are more vivid, intense, and sexual. They’re also more likely to have dreams in which they’re immobilized or restrained.

The pros and cons of common sleep positions

You know what sleep position you prefer. There is no single sleep position that is best for everyone. In addition to comfort, the right sleep position depends on your individual health conditions and concerns.

Sleeping on your back

This is not a very popular sleep position—the National Sleep Foundation reports only about 8 percent of sleepers choose this pose. But in fact, it’s the optimal sleep position for many people. Sleeping on the back allows our bodies to fall into their natural alignment, with our weight distributed evenly. That means there’s no undue pressure on any particular point. For this reason, it’s the position that typically requires the least re-adjusting throughout the night, which is likely why sleeping on one’s back tends to lead to more refreshing sleep.

Back sleeping is often your best option if you experience physical pain or stiffness. People with arthritis often find it easier to sleep soundly and more comfortably on their backs. The most common exceptions? Back pain can make sleeping on your back uncomfortable and counterproductive. And some types of neck pain may also be aggravated by sleeping on your back. When it comes to sleeping well with pain, it’s important to try different positions to determine what gives you the most comfort and relief from tension. Here are some good sleep tips from the Arthritis Foundation for sleeping well with arthritis pain.

Sleeping on your back can also help reduce nighttime symptoms of GERD or acid reflux (but stay tuned, because there may be an even better sleep position for GERD sufferers). If you have acid reflux and opt to sleep on your back, make sure your esophagus is positioned higher than your stomach—a good, supportive pillow should do this.

And if you’re worried about wrinkles and signs of aging on your face? Back sleeping is your friend. That’s because when you sleep on your back, you’re not crunching any part of your face into the pillow, creating lines that can actually become wrinkles. Not having your face against a pillow may also help reduce acne breakouts.

When is back sleeping not a good idea? If you snore or have obstructive sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back can aggravate snoring and make the airway more likely to collapse, leading to more frequent episodes of apnea. People who snore or have sleep apnea are better off sleeping on their side or stomachs. In people with OSA, avoiding back sleep has been shown to reduce blood pressure.

Sleeping on your side

This is a popular sleep position, and I’d call it the second most optimal for health, after back sleeping. For people who snore or have sleep apnea, switching to a side sleeping position can help reduce symptoms, leading to fewer disruptions and better rest (both for snorers and bed partners). Sleeping on your side can help reduce back and neck pain. I wrote recently about carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to sleep. Side sleeping may be the right position for you if you have carpal tunnel—what’s most important is that you protect your wrists from pressure during sleep.

Sleeping on your side appears to help the brain’s lymphatic system clear waste more effectively than sleeping on the back or the stomach. The ability of our brain’s waste removal system to flush out toxins and harmful proteins is critical to helping guard against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.

Choosing to sleep on your right side or left side can make a difference to several health conditions.

Left side sleeping is beneficial if you have acid reflux. Studies show acid reflux is worse when people lie on their right side. Pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side, to help circulation and blood flow to the placenta. Left-side sleeping may help digestion.

There’s an ongoing question about whether a left-side or right-side sleep position is more healthy for our hearts. Research shows that right-side sleeping may lower nervous system activity, which reduces heart rate and blood pressure. Some scientists think the age-related preference for right-side sleeping is an instinctive, protective response for the heart. And studies show that people with heart failure tend to avoid sleeping on their left sides.

What are the downsides of side sleeping? You’re more likely to develop wrinkles than if you sleep on your back, because of the pressure put on the side of your face. You’re also more likely to disrupt circulation in your arm, because of the pressure of your body. This can cause the uncomfortable, tingling pins and needles feeling, which often leads people to wake during the night. Side sleepers will typically shift during sleep more often than back sleepers, which may lead to less restful sleep.

Sleeping in the fetal position

A curled-up variation of side sleeping, this is apparently the most popular sleep posture, especially with women, according to research. Sleeping in a fetal position can have similar benefits to side sleeping, including reducing snoring, relieving pressure on your back.

When the fetal position isn’t ideal? Pulling your body into a tight curl may leave you feeling stiff the next morning. And your breathing can be restricted in the fetal position, because your diaphragm can’t function as effectively. If you feel most comfortable sleeping in a fetal position, try using a body pillow to keep yourself from curling up too tightly.

Sleeping on your stomach

The National Sleep Foundation says only 7 percent of sleepers opt for this sleep pose. I have a handful of stomach sleepers as patients at any given time. Generally, I consider this to be the worst of all options, with occasional exceptions. Stomach sleeping can help reduce snoring and sleep apnea, so it may be a smart choice for people with mild versions of these conditions who can’t get comfortable sleeping on their sides.

The problems with sleeping on your stomach? There are a number of them. Stomach sleeping can be hard on your back and neck, causing additional pain and discomfort. That’s because when you’re stretched out on your stomach, it’s practically impossible to keep your spine and neck aligned and not under pressure. Your neck is turned at a 90-degree angle from the rest of your body and elevated by your pillow. That’s a recipe for neck pain and strain. Sleeping on your stomach causes a pronounced curve in your spine—it’s sort of like sleeping in a back bend all night—which puts pressure on your lower back and can cause pain and stiffness. Stomach sleeping also pushes your face into your pillow, which can lead to more wrinkles and signs of aging.

The right sleep position for you? It’s the one you’re most comfortable in, which gives you the highest quality rest and takes into consideration your specific health issues. If you’re not sleeping comfortably, try switching postures and see if you can improve your nightly rest.

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., DABSM

Facebook Image: fizkes/Shutterstock

Sleep positions that cause wrinkles and nightmares: September 06, 2021, 13:09

Illustrative photo @Shutterstock

September 06, 2021, 13:09

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A good night’s sleep ensures not only a vigorous morning rise, but also good health throughout the day. It’s not just about how many hours you need to sleep, position during sleep is of great importance. TengriMIX will tell you which sleeping positions will help you get enough sleep, prevent early aging and relieve nightmares.

Sleep specialist and physiotherapist Sammy Margot says that the quality of sleep depends on both the length and the position you sleep in.

“Sleeping in certain positions can exacerbate all sorts of health problems, from neck pain to heartburn. The chosen position can also cause wrinkles and lead to sagging breasts,” – said the expert in an interview with The Sun.

Bent knee free fall, in which you lie on your stomach with your hands on a pillow, your head turned to the side and one of your legs bent at the knee, can lead to problems in your knees and hips.

“You’ll tense the front of an everted hip, which puts pressure on your back, causing your spine to curve unnaturally and upset your body’s natural alignment,” says Sammy.

The “free fall” position, where you lie on your stomach with your head turned to the side, with your hands on the pillow, causes back and neck pain. According to the expert, this is the worst sleeping position that guarantees you problems with your spine.

“If you find it difficult to fall asleep in a different position, put a pillow under your stomach to keep your lower back from arching. A pillow under your shins can also take the pressure off your lower back,” said the physiotherapist.

The “fetal” position, in which you lie on your side, bending your knees to your chest, curled up, leads to sleep disturbance and wrinkles. The specialist notes that this is one of the popular sleeping positions on the side, which can be improved by using a pillow between the knees to take pressure off the hips.

“If you sleep in this position and at the same time snuggle up to your partner, then this will help your body release the “happiness hormone” – oxytocin,” the specialist notes.

However, your sleep may also be disturbed by your partner fidgeting or snoring, or you may become hot.

The “soldier” position, in which you lie on your back with your arms by your side, can cause breathing problems. The specialist does not recommend this pose for people with heartburn problems and high acidity in the stomach, as there is a risk that stomach acid can enter the esophagus.

“This is an undesirable position if you snore or suffer from sleep apnea. When sleeping on your back, the chin is pushed forward, which allows the tongue to fall to the back of the throat, partially blocking the airway,” Sammy added.

If you find it comfortable to fall asleep in the soldier’s position, add a pillow under your knees to take some pressure off your lower back.

The starfish position, in which you lie on your back with both hands on a pillow and your legs spread out, can cause nightmares.

“A US study has shown that people who sleep on their backs are more likely to have nightmares. Change your position if you wake up with bad dreams several times a week,” the specialist said.

The specialist also advises putting a pillow under your knees and under your lower back if you suffer from back pain.

The log position, in which you lie on your side with your arms and legs down, can cause shoulder pain and bowel problems. Sammy claims that lying on your side can cause shoulder problems, especially in older adults, as the area becomes less fleshy with age. Regular sleep on the right side also makes it difficult for the body to digest food and exacerbates irritable bowel syndrome.

“You can relieve the pain by placing something like a mattress pad between your shoulder and the mattress to create a little cushioning,” the specialist advised.

The yearning position, in which you lie on your side with both arms stretched out in front of you, leads to sagging breasts.

“Lying on your side is bad for your breasts, as your breasts will sink towards the mattress,” said Sammy.

Women with large busts are advised to wear a night bra for extra support to avoid stretch marks and sagging.

For quality sleep and morning wellness, Sleep Foundation expert Lisa Artis recommends following a daily schedule, airing out the room before bed, and keeping the room comfortably cool throughout the night. Artis also advises keeping the clock away from the bed so you don’t worry about the time before falling asleep.

In what positions do you usually fall asleep and wake up?

I have nightmares when I sleep on my back

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90 104 March 10, 2009 12:16

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By the way, I don’t watch horror at all for a long time)

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#21

as a child suffered from nightmares, it came to paranoia, now knowing how it can be controlled, everything is fine.

but it’s still interesting why it’s so, why exactly on the back there was an assumption that the pressure is increasing or something else happens in the GM, I didn’t manage to talk to anyone (… today I accidentally typed in Yandex and my eyes widened. Honestly , I’m surprised that many have the same situation) it means everything is not just like that

#22

the same meaning! Probably worth listening to …?

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    #30

    good witch

    pray before bed and don’t watch horror movies or crime shows

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    #32

    especially if it’s stuffy in the room

    still on the back when splb, it’s hard to wake up..as if I’m yanking myself out of sleep

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    #35 900 05

    #36

    I’m trying to wake up, I can’t get up, as if some kind of force is holding me, but in a dream it feels like reality is 100%, although it’s a dream.

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    #46

    Arishka

    Do many people have nightmares on their backs???

    #47

    Guest

    This is not the first time I’ve been sleeping on my back tonight, I understand that I feel a sense of horror from this.

    I’m trying to wake up, I can’t get up, as if some force is holding me back, but in a dream it feels like reality is 100%, although it’s a dream.

    #48

    Lord

    When you fall asleep on your back, after a while it seems that you have woken up, you cannot move, and you can see something at the chest level that looks like a bunch of steam that rushes from you or continues to hang in the air and suffocate you. All this is very real, but you can’t move and shout something, then you finally woke up …. If I fall asleep on my back, 99% what will happen.

    #49

    #50

    According to Russian folk notions, nightmares come from the fact that the brownie “leans on the sleeping person during the night and crushes him so that at this time it is impossible to move or say a word.