Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Are you a side sleeper? Read our comprehensive guide on the benefits of sleeping on your side along with some helpful sleeping tips.

I. Benefits for Side Sleepers

II. Positions for Side Sleepers

III. Side Sleeping Tips – Right Side VS. Left Side

IV. Side Sleeper FAQ’s

V. GhostBed Side Sleeper Reviews

The most common position to fall asleep in is on the side. Many even state, that sleeping on one’s side, especially the left side, is the healthiest as well. Experts detail that side sleeping can even help to alleviate insomnia and loss of sleep. With all of that in mind, for those who prefer sleeping on the side, it is important to pay attention to get the best mattress for side sleepers.

A softer memory foam mattress will generally mold to the contours of the body. This will allow for the bed to touch each part of your side that you are resting on, providing just enough of the right pressure to snuggly give the proper support. Stay away from a very firm mattress that could end up providing open gaps for an unsupportive and less restful sleep.

I. Benefits for Side Sleepers

Sleeping on your side has a few alternative positions along with numerous benefits.The side position allows for the spine to lie in a straight and natural position. This position can even reduce, or even eliminate, snoring by keeping airways open, which is especially helpful for those who share a bed. With the side sleeping position allowing for the subsiding of pain, it is even encouraged by doctors for those with back pain or hip pain, and for pregnant women. Health professionals have even lauded the praises of sleeping particularly on the left side.

II. Positions for Side Sleepers and What They Mean

Log position

Ever heard someone state, “I slept like a log,” then most likely that person does sleep in the log position on their side. Studies have determined that 15-percent of people do sleep like a log. Just like its name, this side sleeping position will have you your torso prone straight on your side with each arm straight down following the line of your body. Legs will be stacked straight as well. With your body prone in a level position, it allows for the spine to lie straight as well promoting good posture. This straight position helps with the reduction of acid reflux. As airways are more apt to stay open, snoring will be decreased with this position. Therefore, doctors ask patients with sleep apnea to try to sleep on their sides as well. The log position is often shown to be enjoyed by social, laidback, trusting folks, who although naïve can also be stubborn in the way they think.

Fetal position

The often-heard praise, “sleeping like a baby,” is obviously derived from the fetal side position of sleep. The most popular of sleep positions, fetal side sleeping is said by experts to be enjoyed by 41-percent of adults, as it proves to be a source of comfort snuggling into one’s self. This is stated to be the most comfortable of positions, with the bending of knees up towards the chest just like a baby in the womb. Be aware that with the fetal position if you scrunch yourself up too much can leave those with joint pain sore upon waking. When sleeping on the side like this, experts advise that people with back pain place a thin pillow between the legs. By separating the legs with a pillow, it allows for the upper leg to be supported and the spine to be in an aligned position. This will reduce pressure on the hips and lower portion of the back. This position is also good to alleviate snoring. People who are fetal position sleepers tend to be tough on the outside but soft on the inside. These are folks who prove to be a bit shy but are also caring, reliable and organized, and always ready to tackle their day.

Yearner position

Yearners, seem be those longing for more than just the basic log position. Approximately 13-percent of people are yearners. In the yearner position, the body is relatively straight, like the log, but with arms straight out from the body, as if yearning to reach for something in their sleep. The legs are stacked like the log but not as prone, with a slight bend to the knees. Side sleeping as a yearner will help reduce snoring and sleep apnea associated issues. The folks who sleep in the yearner position are said to be open minded to new things in life, but at the same time can be apprehensive, skeptical and suspicious. They can take a long time when decisions need to be made and once made, will be unlikely to waver from their decision. They can also be prone to give up quickly when presented with a problem or question.

III. Side Sleeping Tips – Right Side Versus Left Side

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• Sleeping on the left side in the fetal position is recommended for women who are pregnant since it is known to increase the circulation in the body and the fetus. On the left side, the liver will be saved from the uterus crushing it.
• Doctors have found that heartburn sufferers garner more relief from snoozing on the left side instead of the right side. In fact, in some cases, physicians have seen an increase in symptoms when sleeping on the right side.
• With the organs being asymmetrically placed in the body, when a person sleeps on their left side it is more likely that waste will flow easier into the larger intestine from the small intestine.
• Another organ that benefits from left side sleeping is the Spleen. The gravity of sleeping on the left side allows for better drainage.
• An additional surprising find is that the left side of the body is dominant for the lymph nodes. This means that as you slumber on the left side, the body will be working better to get rid of toxins and fluids.
• Those with varicose veins will definitely want to try staying on the left side for sleep as it improves circulation with the reduction of weight on the largest vein in the body, the vena cava, which is on the body’s right side.

IV. Side Sleeper FAQ’s

What is the healthiest side sleeping position?

As detailed by health professionals it seems that sleeping on one’s left side is preferred to the right side. This is especially recommended for pregnant women and those with acid reflux.

How do you choose the right pillow for side sleeping?

Side sleepers need to take care of choosing the right pillow to provide the right support to prevent neck pain. It is important to take into consideration the loft, or height, of the pillow. For side sleepers, it is recommended to use a pillow with a higher loft that will sit in line with the height of the shoulder. With the pillow at the right height side sleepers get the much-needed support to prevent pain.

Are there any accessories that will help with side sleeping?

Along with the proper pillow for your head, you may want to try a thin pillow between the legs. This will alleviate the pressure of the top hip resting on the bottom hip and keep the spine aligned as you sleep, allowing you to wake to less pain. In addition, there are full body pillows as well as special side sleeper arm rest pillows that help keep limbs and organs aligned during slumber.

V. GhostBed Side Sleeper Reviews

With three different side sleeping positions, it is likely that a variable of one is what will lull you off to dreamland. Along with the right pillow you will also want to make sure that you have the best mattress for side sleepers.

GhostBed is an ideal mattress for side sleepers, with real customers reviewing their experience.