Home LivingWellnessSleepImprove your sleep instantly with this expert pillow trickTry this simple technique to keep your spine aligned as you snoozeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleepImprove your sleep instantly with this expert pillow trickTry this simple technique to keep your spine aligned as you snoozeWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Try this simple technique to keep your spine aligned as you snooze
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Jude Infantini on Unsplash)
(Image credit: Jude Infantini on Unsplash)
If you feel comfy when you drop off to sleep, but wake up with aches and pains, it might be that your mattress isn’t providing the support you need (in which case, ourbest mattressguide can help). However, it might also be your sleeping position that’s putting strain on your spine or joints. According to sleep posture expert James Leinhardt, the shape in which you sleep can have a major impact on your wellbeing.
There aregood and bad poses to sleep in. A good pose can work wonders, helping improve your posture overall andspeed up recovery times. A bad pose does the exact opposite. You probably already have a favoured sleeping pose, and training yourself out of it – if it’s not a good one – can be tricky. However, James has a clever trick to help, and all you need is a pillow.
Here is it: if you’re lying on your side, stick a pillow between your knees. This helps to ensure your knees stay stacked one above the other, which is the best resting position to ensure your spine stays neutrally aligned, as in ‘the Dreamer’ position below. If you let your upper leg drop over the lower, as in ‘the Applauder’, your spine is twisted, and you’re more likely to end up suffering lower back pain.
(Image credit: Levitex)
(Image credit: Levitex)
If you prefer to lie on your back, there’s a trick for you too: put a pillowunderyour knees.
If you lie flat with your legs down, you’ll notice your lower back arches up a bit. You might even be able to get your hand under it. Raising your knees slightly acts to cancel out this curve.
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James Leinhardt runsLevitex, a pillow and mattress company, but has also spent a decade providing specialist bed solutions in healthcare.
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