The Side Sleepers Guide to Sleeping Comfortably

When it comes to sleeping positions, we all have a personal preference. Some of us enjoy sleeping on our backs, some of us will choose our stomach. 

There are others that enjoy sleeping on their side, and side sleepers can even have preferences regarding which side they favor, right or left. 

There are also sleepers that tend to comfortably shift between all positions at different moments of the night. 

According to studies, most people spend at least 54% of their time in the side sleeping position, making it the most common one.

You’ll be happy to know that side sleeping has a lot of benefits for our health and the quality of our sleep. However, there are certain things that you should be aware of to take advantage of the full benefits while avoiding some inconveniences.

In this blog, our aim is to help you better understand why side sleeping is the most popular position and how it can be beneficial for your sleeping habits. We’ll also provide tips on how to maximize the advantages and minimize the possible drawbacks.

Are you a side sleeper?

The first thing you should know is that there is more than one sleeping position when it comes to side sleeping. There are three major variations to sleeping on your side.

Fetal position

This is considered the most popular sleeping position for side sleepers. It is done by curling up and taking your knees closer to your chest.

Yearner position

The second most common position for side sleepers. The yearning position is done by keeping your body straight but with your arms tilted to the side.

Log position

The log position is the least used position for side sleepers. This sleep position is achieved by laying straight on your side, with your arms close to your body.

Maintaining the position 

As a general rule, a side sleeper is a person that usually starts their night on their side and maintains that position throughout the majority of the night. 

If you fit that description, it means you are a side sleeper, and there are some interesting things to consider. 

Left side or right side?

We’ve established what a side sleeper is, but one of the things that differentiate side sleepers from back and stomach sleepers is that when you sleep on your side, you get to choose a side. 

This might seem unimportant to you at first glance, but did you know there are actually some differences regarding the side you choose to sleep on? 

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that come with sleeping on your side and then focus on how the side you choose may have different implications.

Whether you sleep on your right side or on your left, one thing that doesn’t change is how the quality of your sheets impact your sleep. Take a look at our 100% Flax Linen Bed Sheet Set for a set that is famously breathable and will help keep  you cool during warm nights.

Benefits of sleeping on your side

Let’s take a look at the benefits of sleeping on your side. According to studies, side sleeping can reduce snoring and prevent other issues like obstructive sleep apnea or digestive complications. 

Reduces snoring and sleep apnea

Sleeping on your side can help to prevent snoring and sleep apnea because it helps to keep the airways free.

Brain health

According to preliminary studies, sleeping on your side may boost your brain health because it helps in cleaning interstitial waste. 

Advantages of sleeping on your left side

Sleeping on your left side shares all the common advantages of side sleeping, but according to scientific studies, also carries an advantage when it comes to digestive benefits. 

Digestion

You might be wondering why sleeping on your left side aids digestion more than sleeping on your right. Here’s why: our internal organs are not symmetrically organized, and this is very important for our digestive system, especially when we consider how waste travels through the colon.

Sleeping on our left side helps to move waste through the different parts of the colon, facilitating bowel movements.

Keep this in mind if you are having trouble with constipation. Sleeping on your left side may be an easy fix that can help you. 

Heartburn

According to studies, people who sleep on the right side tend to be at more risk of experiencing acid reflux, while sleeping on your left side reduces the risk. 

This happens because when you sleep on your left, the stomach and its gastric juices remain at lower levels than the esophagus.

Drawbacks of sleeping on your side

Sleeping on your side has a lot of benefits, but it can also have drawbacks if you don’t do it carefully or if you have a pre-existing condition. 

It is important to pay attention to the following factors because they might interfere with a position that would be beneficial for you, and it would be unfortunate to discard side sleeping for the wrong reasons.

Let’s take a closer look at the possible causes that might interfere with a good night of side sleeping. 

Shoulders

If you have a shoulder injury, it might be difficult to sleep on your side given the pressure it exerts on the lateral parts of your body. It might be better to avoid a side sleeping position while you recover. 

Even if you don’t have an injury, but are prone to shoulder pain, sleeping on your side can lead to increased pain, especially if your mattress is too firm or you place it in an awkward position.

Back

When it comes to your back, there is still some debate regarding which sleep position is the one that has the more benefits. 

Sleeping on your side can be a better choice than sleeping on your stomach, but when it comes to soothing back pain, the best alternative is sleeping on your back, followed by sleeping on your side in the fetal position.

Numbness

If you sleep on your side with your arm under your pillow you might experience numbness. This can be either from the position of your arm or the weight you exert on it, which causes poor blood flow circulation and therefore, numbness.

Tips for side sleepers

Now that we’ve covered some of the benefits and disadvantages that sleeping on your side might have, let’s take a look at some tips you can use to safely sleep in this popular position.

Finding an appropriate mattress

Finding the right mattress for your sleeping habits is fundamental to achieve a good night’s sleep. 

Firmness

You can find a lot of different mattresses that are placed into the firm to soft spectrum. Depending on your conditions, it might benefit you to have a softer or firmer one. 

If you are a side sleeper, the key may very well be to stay away from the extremes. A very firm mattress will probably cause pain in the joints given the lack of flexibility necessary to accommodate the position, which can cause hip and shoulder pain.

However, a mattress that’s too soft can also be detrimental by not providing enough support for your shoulder and hips. This will lead to improper spinal alignment, which can cause tension in the back muscles and therefore, back pain.

The best alternative is to find a medium firm mattress that is not too stiff, nor too soft. Find a middle ground for proper side sleeping support.

A great way to add support to any mattress is through a mattress pad. Check out our Microplush Mattress Pad to upgrade the comfort and support of your mattress. It will help to fall asleep comfortably on your side or whatever position you choose. 

The size

The size of a mattress is always important when it comes to choosing the right one, and most of it has to do with your height, and also if the bed is for a single sleeper or for couples.

Side sleepers tend to bend their bodies forward when they sleep, so it would be better to find a mattress that can accommodate the width of your sleeping position and not only focus on your height. Especially if you share the bed with a partner.

Take a look at our 100% Organic Cotton Flannel Bed Sheet Set, for a sheet set that you and your partner will be thankful for. No matter your sleeping position, the high quality cotton of these sheets will help you sleep with the highest level of comfort. 

Pillows

Pillows are a great ally for side sleepers, they provide support and comfort in two significant ways.

Place a pillow between your knees

One great tip for side sleepers is to place a pillow between your knees. This trick helps to keep your spine aligned while you sleep on your side, avoiding possible consequences like back and hip pain.

Consider our Premium Body Pillow to aid you in this regard. Our body pillow length is designed to provide proper support in any position you prefer. It is a great ally for side sleepers, guaranteed to enhance your relaxation. 

Get a thick head pillow

When it comes to your head pillow, side sleepers benefit more from using a thick pillow than a thin one, which could lead to neck pain. This will help to keep proper neck and head alignment and relieve some of the pressure. 

Consider our Premium Bed Pillows for a pair of pillows that are firm while fluffy. They offer great support for your head and neck, providing comfort for a good night’s sleep.

Start on the left side

When you go to sleep, start on the left side. As we’ve discussed, sleeping on the left side provides all the benefits of sleeping to the side plus the advantages it presents for digestion and heartburn relief. 

To conclude

Sleeping on your side is the most popular position for a reason, it can be quite comfortable if done right and it presents a lot of benefits for your health.

We hope this blog has helped in understanding how to maximize the pros of side sleeping while minimizing the possible drawbacks.

Don’t forget to take a look at the following products, they will surely help you to sleep better:

• Check out our Premium Body Pillow for a body pillow that will be your greatest ally. Guaranteed to offer support and comfort throughout the night.

• Don’t leave your head and neck hanging, take a look at our Premium Bed Pillows for a pair of firm and fluffy pillows that will provide all the support you need.

• Upgrade your mattress with our Microplush Mattress Pad. Designed with quilted squares that act as tiny pillows, this mattress pad provides the necessary support in all the right places.

• Go for our 100% Flax Linen Bed Sheet Set if you consider yourself a hot sleeper. Their breathability will help in wicking away moisture to keep you fresh and cool during the night.

• If you are the kind of person that prefers a cotton bed sheet set, go for our 100% Organic Cotton Flannel Bed Sheet Set. This set will keep you in comfortable luxury, for a great night’s sleep.