Side Sleeper Guide: Learn How To Reduce Pain & Improve Sleep Quality

Most American adults prefer sleeping on the side. When done correctly, side sleeping can deliver a host of well-being benefits ranging from better joint health to less snoring. On the other hand, incorrect posture can strain muscles, leaving you sore when you wake up.

In this comprehensive guide, you will discover everything you need to know about improving how you sleep as a side sleeper. Sleeping on your side can help alleviate the effects of back pain, and provide you with a stronger sleep routine overall. Here we cover the pros and cons of side sleeping, how to correct your posture, and even the best hybrid mattress and pillow to help you experience even better rest.

Benefits of side sleeping

By curling on your side each night, you can contribute to your health in several ways. Whether you are a seasoned side sleeper, or are trying to transition to a new sleeping position, here’s what you can expect.

Spinal alignment

Your back is one of the most sensitive areas of your body. When injured or strained, back pain can stand in the way of a good night’s sleep. Since you spend around 8 hours a night sleeping, the way you sleep and the type of mattress you have can help you wake each morning with less pain in your back.

The trick to being a side sleeper when you have back pain is to place a pillow between your knees. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs will allow the pillow to act as a bolster to keep your knees, hips, pelvis, and spine in alignment. Choosing pillows for side sleepers can be as simple as seeking something with an adjustable amount of stuffing. This will allow the pillow to mold to the shape of your body.

Supports muscles

Besides spine support, sleeping on your side can also reduce pain in specific muscles and joints. Side sleeping also benefits people who suffer from chronic long-term conditions such as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia causes musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

When you curl up on your side into the fetal position, you can help open up areas in your vertebrae and support the soft discs that act as cushions for your spine. Releasing this tension helps your muscles relax as you snooze.

Boosts brain health

Modern research has linked side sleeping to increased cognitive function. It has to do with how the brain filters out toxins. While you sleep, the space between your brain cells expands, allowing fluid to flow through with ease and cleanse away toxins that can accumulate throughout the day.

When these waste chemicals build up, the risk of developing neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s can increase. Researchers have found that side sleeping may more effectively reduce brain waste, thus improving cognitive health.

Digestion

Experiencing digestive issues such as heartburn and acid reflux at night is common, especially if you eat too late. Sleeping on your left side can help regulate your digestive system while you sleep.

The left side is considered better than the right side for digestion. This is because the stomach is located on the left side, and with the help of gravity, waste can effectively move through the small and large intestine.

Reduce snoring

As common as snoring is, it can be incredibly annoying and even detrimental to your health. Not to mention, a snoring spouse can eliminate the chance of a good night’s sleep. Sleeping on the side is considered the best sleeping position to help snorers open up their airways.

Sleeping on the side prevents the tongue from collapsing in the back wall of the throat. Snoring occurs when you are unable to move quickly through your nose and mouth. The way you position your body in bed can significantly impact your flow of breath.

To sleep even better, sleep on your side, and elevate your head at least 4 inches to make it even easier for your jaw and tongue to move forward.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women endure many physiological changes, and as the belly grows, quality sleep can be challenging to come by. This is why sleeping on the left side is considered the best sleeping position for pregnant women, for both comfort and optimal blood flow.

A large vein called the inferior vena cava (IVC) is responsible for carrying blood to the heart and the baby. The IVC is located on the right side of the body, so sleeping on the left side will help blood flow most effectively.

Downsides of side sleeping

Among the stack of benefits that come with side sleeping, there can be a few downsides. Some side sleepers are vulnerable to joint pain and jaw discomfort. Finding the right mattress to relieve pressure and provide support is going to be important when avoiding the downsides of sleeping on your side.

Joint pain

Body pain can make it close to impossible to fall asleep and stay asleep. When you lay on your side, you can place a great deal of weight on your neck, shoulders, and hips. Despite this, there are a few ways to release tension, especially if you have a history of pain in these areas.

Placing a pillow between the knees could alleviate tension from the hips. To help with shoulder pain, try placing a throw pillow beneath the chest area to create a canal and reduce strain on the shoulder. Neck pain can be managed with a quality pillow, especially one with an adjustable height.

Jaw discomfort

Side sleepers can sometimes experience jaw discomfort. When you lay on the side of your face for so long, you may feel a sense of pressure on your jaw. The best remedy for this is to sleep on a pillow that conforms rather than bounces.

To get comfortable sleep and limit jaw discomfort, try sleeping on a memory foam pillow instead of a down pillow. Memory foam doesn't have a sinking effect, and it offers a suitable level of support.

If you want to opt for a sleep position that’s equally good for spinal alignment and offsetting body ache, you could try to sleep on your back. When you sleep on your back, you keep your spine naturally aligned, and ensure you’re able to get a comfortable and healthy night of sleep.

Is it better to sleep on the left side or right side?

As we’ve covered, it can be better to sleep on your left side instead of your right side in some situations. During pregnancy and when you have heartburn are examples of when the left side will be more beneficial.

Having said this, many people spend their nights tossing and turning from one side to the other. Tossing and turning can impact sleep quality, and it may even leave you waking up with pain. To keep your body on just one side, try sleeping with a body pillow. Body pillows can help side sleepers as it acts as a bolster, keeping you aligned and limiting movement.

Best pillow for side sleepers

Finding the best pillow can be exhausting! You’re inundated with options, and it can be hard to figure out the features and benefits of each. We’re here to help. Side sleepers need to factor in 3 essentials when pillow shopping: thickness, firmness, and easy care.

Thickness

The crucial role of the pillow is to keep your head, neck, and shoulders aligned. Unlike stomach sleepers who tend to feel more comfortable and supported on a thin pillow, side sleepers should aim for a pillow that lifts the head around 4 inches, give or take.

The best way to achieve this is to invest in an adjustable pillow. Memory foam adjustable pillows are an excellent option for side sleepers because you can easily remove some of the fill to customize the pillow's height.

Firmness

Side sleepers generally benefit from a medium-firm pillow. A too soft or too hard pillow will strain joints and make it hard to wake up feeling completely refreshed. Here, memory foam can help. The intuitive nature of memory foam can offer the right amount of firmness, support, and comfort.

Easy care

Pillows can accumulate a lot of dust and dirt. Dandruff, dead skin, drool - your pillow sees it all and then some. It’s recommended that you clean your pillow frequently to ensure you don’t expose your airways to dust.

Keep an eye out for a hypoallergenic stamp when you are pillow shopping, and make sure it has a zip-n-wash cover that you can wash in the washing machine.

Best mattress for side sleepers

No matter what style of snooze you prefer, having the most comfortable mattress is essential. People who sleep on the side need to ensure their mattress contours to the body and relieves pain from pressure points.

The best mattresses for side sleepers are memory foam mattresses or hybrids.

Memory foam mattress

Memory foam is a higher-density viscoelastic foam that NASA invented in the 1970s. It has a flexible nature that contours to the body as you move, which is why it is considered such a breakthrough material in mattress innovation.

A medium-firm memory foam mattress can offer a balanced feel of comfort and support. Unlike traditional spring mattresses, memory foam doesn’t have a bounce. Instead, it provides a gentle feel that can be compared to a hug.

Hybrid mattress

Hybrid mattresses offer the same excellent benefits of memory foam, with the added stability of coils. Medium-firm hybrids provide a blend of comfort and support that some side sleepers prefer to stand-alone memory foam mattresses. Firm mattresses are better suited to stomach sleepers, whereas back sleepers can adapt to a wide range of mattress types.

Another key benefit of a hybrid mattress is that they offer better edge support. So if you are a side sleeper who tends to sleep close to the edge of the bed, you can avoid the edge sagging and causing discomfort.

Types of side sleeping positions

There are a few different ways you can get comfortable on your mattress as a side sleeper. Here are some of the most popular types of side sleeping positions and how you can use them.

• Fetal position is when you curl up into a ball and hug your legs. It’s a popular choice for many side sleepers. Be mindful about your shoulders in this position and ensure you have the right pillow to support your neck.
• The log is when your legs are straight and usually stacked on top of each other. This can be a difficult position to maintain throughout the night. To avoid straining the lower back, place a pillow between your knees to support alignment.
• The hugger is a side sleeping position in which you hug a pillow or person while you sleep. Elevating your arm can reduce some strain. Consider hugging a body pillow for maximum comfort.

Paying attention to how you sleep can make a considerable difference to how you feel when you wake up. As a side sleeper, there are many ways you can improve your posture and reduce body pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the healthiest sleeping position?

Sleeping on your side is widely considered the healthiest sleep position for those who deal with any body ache in their hips and shoulders. When you sleep on your side, you naturally keep your spine aligned, making it a really healthy sleep position for those who want to rest and recover without dealing with lower back pain.

What does it mean if you’re a side sleeper?

If you sleep on your side, the term ‘side sleeper’ is a common phrase to define your sleep position. Those who sleep on their side will generally experience benefits when it comes to keeping their spine aligned.

Is sleeping on your left side bad for your heart?

There’s actually no scientific evidence to suggest sleeping on your left side is bad for your heart. Early studies investigating the effects of sleep positions on heart health do suggest there might be a slight increase of pressure on your heart when you sleep on your left side.

When you sleep on your right, your heart is held in place by a thin layer of tissue between your lungs, called the mediastinum - on the other hand, when you sleep on your left, you inadvertently cause your heart to shift and turn, causing changes in electrical activity to the heart.

Does side sleeping cause shoulder pain?

When you sleep on your side, you might inadvertently find yourself placing additional pressure on your shoulder. This can cause irritation and increase pain. Sleeping on a shoulder that’s already sore or injured can further exacerbate this pain.

Conclusion

Once you’ve found the right pillow to support your head and neck, and a new mattress that’s more supportive, you’ll find it a lot easier to sleep on your side. Whether you’re trying to improve your sleep apnea or you’re simply looking for a sleep position that won’t put too much pressure on your back, sleeping on your side can be a really constructive way to get better rest.

Your Turn...

Are you a side sleeper? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

Disclaimer. We love sleep and we want you to get the best sleep possible. But we do not provide medical advice. This blog is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical info, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on our blog.