Doctor explained how sleep position affects your health

Sleep is not just rest, but a real science with its own laws and rules. Body position during night rest can significantly affect digestive processes, quality of breathing, and even skin condition, shared cardiologist and somnologist Natalia Zolotareva with "Gazeta.Ru".

The specialist notes that sleeping on your side, especially the left one, has a beneficial effect on the digestive system. This is explained by anatomical features: the stomach is located on the left side, and due to gravity, food moves naturally, which significantly reduces the likelihood of heartburn and acid reflux. In contrast, sleeping on the right side can exacerbate such problems.

"However, this position has certain disadvantages: prolonged pressure on the shoulder or hip often causes unpleasant numbness, and constant contact of the face with the pillow contributes to the formation of so-called 'sleep wrinkles' - folds that can become permanent over time. I recommend choosing a medium-firm pillow and using silk pillowcases to minimize friction," emphasized Zolotareva.

The expert calls sleeping on the back the optimal choice for those who care about spine health and skin beauty. In this position, the body is in a neutral position, which significantly reduces the load on the cervical and lumbar regions. An additional advantage is the absence of contact between the face and the pillow, which minimizes the risk of wrinkles and irritations.

"But it's necessary to consider an important nuance: in the back position, the probability of snoring and obstructive apnea significantly increases, when temporary breathing stops occur because the tongue can block the larynx. If you face such a problem, try to slightly raise the head of the bed or switch to a side position," the specialist recommends.

Zolotareva also draws attention to the fact that sleeping on the stomach, despite its popularity, is the most problematic position. In this position, the head is forcibly turned to the side, which creates excessive load on the cervical region and can provoke pain. In addition, the chest is in a compressed state, which makes full deep breathing difficult, and pressure on the stomach area often causes discomfort.

"For skin condition, this is also an unfavorable option: the face is in close contact with the pillow throughout the night, which contributes to the appearance of creases, morning swelling, and even rashes. If it's difficult for you to give up the habit of sleeping on your stomach, I recommend using the thinnest pillow possible or doing without it altogether to minimize the unnatural curve of the neck," the doctor emphasizes.

Based on these observations, the somnologist offers the following recommendations: for those prone to heartburn, it's preferable to choose a position on the left side; for the prevention of premature wrinkles, it's optimal to sleep on the back; people suffering from snoring should avoid the back position; for maintaining skin health and beauty, it's recommended to use silk pillowcases.

"It's important to understand that there is no universal ideal sleeping position suitable for absolutely everyone. Experiment, listen carefully to the peculiarities of your body, and then sleep will become your reliable ally in maintaining health and well-being," concluded Natalia Zolotareva.