Benefits of Sleep

• Not getting adequate sleep can cause a multitude of problems. From increasing pain symptoms to decreased mental concentration, poor sleep habits, whether it's not getting enough or getting a poor quality of sleep, can interfere with overall wellness. Chronic sleep deficit can increase the risk of obesity and depression, but it can also increase the chances of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer.
  
  

Side Effects of Poor Sleep

• General side effects from inadequate sleep can affect the entire body. Symptoms include general fatigue, an increase in pain, clumsiness, irritability and an increased overall stress levels. Poor sleep can also affect concentration and memory, and in extreme cases, can bring about dizziness or hallucinations, and impairments of speech and vision.
  
  Sleep difficulties raise levels of the hormone cortisol. A chronic elevation of this hormone can bring about impairments to immunity, making you more susceptible to illness, and alternations to blood sugars, thus leading to weight gain, fatigue issues and possible diabetes. Cortisol may also decrease things like bone and muscle density.
  
  

Back Sleeping

• Sleeping on the back opens up the body and gives the internal organs more breathing room. This position can allow you to wake up feeling more refreshed. However, sleeping on the back can increase snoring issues and aggravate back pain. For pregnant women, back sleeping can amplify breathing and digestive difficulties, and decrease circulation to mother and child.
  
  

Proper Back Sleeping Position

• When sleeping on the back, the spine is pushed down, flattening the natural curve. This positioning can aggravate back pain, especially if there is a problem with the spinal discs. Gravity pulls on the discs and increases abnormal positioning. In other words, a bulging disc may become aggravated by the force of gravity pulling it out of normal position. If you prefer to sleep on the back, the use of a small towel roll or bolster under the knees can greatly reduce strain on the back.
  
  

Belly Sleeping

• While spending time on the belly is a good way to coax bulging discs back into place, spending too much time on the belly can increase back pain symptoms. Belly sleeping can also intensify neck pain and dysfunction since neck positioning is typically altered by resting the head to one side or another. This strain in the neck area can cause a general ache or pain problem that radiates into the head, shoulders or chest area.
  
  

Proper Belly Sleeping Positions

• When sleeping on the belly, the natural curve of the back is exaggerated. This causes excessive strain and pinching of abnormal discs when position is maintained for a prolonged period of time. If you prefer to sleep on the belly, place a pillow under the hips to decrease the excessive curving of the spine. Use a doughnut pillow to allow normal positioning of the head and neck.