You might think that getting curled up at night in bed gives you some comfort, but it turns out that you could be doing more harm than good for yourself. Curling up and bending your legs at night, for instance, may cause unwanted pain, especially if you suffer from common conditions such as back and neck pain, TMJ, and headaches. If you’re like most people, you tend to toss and turn and change positions to avoid pain, but if you’re not sleeping the right position, you could be doing yourself some serious harm.
However, there are a number of ways that you can change the way you sleep that will lead to better quality shut-eye. Here are three suggestions you can use to ease discomfort at night:
- Pay attention to how you sleep. Are you a side sleeper? Do you prefer to lay on your stomach? While these positions may seem comfortable at first, they may lead to cramping or discomfort later on during the night if you’re not careful. Make sure to protect your spine when laying down, and try sleeping on your back to get the full amount of support. If you need to, do some stretches before bed to make sure that you can get comfortable during the evening.
- Buy a new pillow. Is your old pillow starting to feel a little flat? Do you have a soft feather pillow when what you really need is something firm? If you’re feeling a literal pain in the neck, it may have to do with the pillow or pillows you use each night. Try choosing a firm feather pillow or memory foam pillow if you need more support, and switch to something soft if you need that instead.
- Choose an adjustable bed. Getting a good night’s sleep isn’t just reliant on doing some stretching and getting a new pillow. It could also involve making an investment to help you sleep better in the long-term. Electric beds with adjustable mattresses are becoming popular for individuals and couples because they provide the freedom to raise the legs and torso for optimal comfort. Additionally, the beds’ incline can also prevent you from curling up into unnatural positions, so you can feel more at ease when you sleep.
For example, you could buy a Craftmatic® Brand Adjustable Bed, and you may see a number of benefits from it. Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds equipped with optional heat and massage also may provide temporary relief from low back pain, minor aches and pains due to muscular fatigue or overexertion, edema or swelling of the legs, poor local blood circulation of the legs, symptoms of hiatus hernia, nighttime heartburn, and symptoms of gastric reflux. The optional heating accessory provides temporary relief from mild arthritis and joint pain, as well as muscle pain associated with stress and tension. When you sleep in an upright position, you may be able to reduce or ease any light or occasional snoring.
Have more questions about getting comfortable at night? Leave a comment below with your questions or suggestions.