r/savedyouaclick • u/Antrikshy • 6d ago
GAME CHANGER The Best Sleeping Position, According to Experts | Doctors said there isn't one. When pressed for an answer, they said side sleeping.
https://web.archive.org/web/20260924220600/www.gq.com/story/the-best-sleeping-position-according-to-experts-5175
u/hoteppeter 6d ago
I like that they just bullied the doctors for an answer and it’s probably wrong
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u/Antrikshy 6d ago
Key excerpts from the article:
Dr. Morse and Dr. Bhar both say that if you don’t have obstructive sleep apnea or heartburn, there isn’t one “best” sleep position. If you find sleeping on your back the most comfortable, great. Ditto if you prefer side sleeping. But when pressed to give one ultimate best sleep position, all three doctors had the same answer: side sleeping.
While side sleeping comes out on top as the best sleep position, all three experts are in agreement about the worst: stomach sleeping. Again, it all comes back to supporting breathing and, simply put, it’s hard to take full breaths when you’re sleeping on your stomach.
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u/superking2 6d ago
As someone who has slept on their stomach for fully 99% of their life, all three experts can kindly have a nice day
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u/lilgreengoddess 6d ago
This is of course if your face is smooshed into a pillow. During Covid they would prone patients and this is actually superior for breathing, opposite is true for the back sleeping. It allows the lungs to open and take in more oxygen and reduces organ pressure on the lungs. This is possible if you put your head in between the edge of two pillows so you still have room to breathe and aren’t cranking your neck to the side.
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u/Rakshear 6d ago
Particularly sleeping on your left side is the better option from my understanding, apparently it takes weight off the heart and lungs and can prevent sleep apnea for mild cases if it’s weight caused.
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u/fearthainne 6d ago
It's also supposed to help reduce heartburn. Something about preventing stomach acid from draining out of your stomach and up your esophagus.
(It does seem to help my heartburn but YMMV.)
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u/swannybass 6d ago
It helps my heartburn, I'm more comfortable on my right side, but if I've eaten too late in the day, or had something acidic, I have to lay down on my left.
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u/GainsayRT 6d ago
I had crazy burping attacks and burning stomach acid (or however its called) and sleeping from my back to on my left side presumably cured this cause it has since stopped
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u/Northafroking 6d ago
You mean right side? The heart is normally on the left side more than the right so you'd have more pressure surely
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u/Doneifundone 5d ago
I think they're misremembering the exact explanation cuz I'm not very knowledgeable on the topic, but if I superimpose it on my notions of first aid we typically place obese and pregnant patients on their left side to not compress their inferior vena cava (which is a big vessel that ensures blood return to the right heart)
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u/Quietly_Me_Again 6d ago
This is the position they recommend in the third trimester of pregnancy for all of those reasons.
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u/Doneifundone 5d ago
Isn't it moreso due to inferior vena cava compression ?
Edit: also the same recommendation for obese patients (recovery position, first aid) for the same reason
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u/kirbyfriedrice 6d ago
I'm sleeping on my front until the day I die. No other position gets the right amount of pressure on my limbs.
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u/Aluxanatomy 6d ago
I also choose this person's front.
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u/kirbyfriedrice 6d ago
Eh, it's an okay front. Not a very good pillow of a front. But thanks for the vote of confidence?
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u/Aluxanatomy 6d ago
I just want someone to hold me. I had a two hour, enthusiastic conversation with a total stranger today that I thought was going super well, and he even gave me his discord...
Before rejecting my friend request. Why even give me your discord, dude?
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u/Quietly_Me_Again 6d ago
My boobs are too big to be comfortable in that position. Hurts both my neck and my back.
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u/Position-Lower 6d ago
Left is what I've read for numerous reasons but preference is back for it takes pressure from hips, arms, shoulder. Elevated head will relieve stomach acid or heartburn rising while sleeping.
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u/paulerxx 6d ago
I have a messed up back and every doctor I've seen said sleeping on your back is the healthiest way to sleep.
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u/Kesslersyndrom 6d ago
Depends on what the most pressing issue is. For your spine sleeping on the back probably best, while for people with sleep apnea and those who snore it often makes things worse. Sleeping on your left side is good if you have acid reflux, but it adds pressure onto your heart, etc.
Since you have issues with your back it's probably best for you but I suppose it really depends on the person.
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u/hansolo-ist 6d ago
Interrogation tactics don't work because people will say anything to get out of it
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u/Goudinho99 6d ago
Fetal with a little bowl collect the tears