When you plop yourself into bed at the end of a busy day, you’re probably not thinking about what position you’ll sleep in — you just naturally wind up shifting your big bod for dream town, right? Well, while you may not consider it, sleeping position significantly influences health. Your body repairs and restores itself while snoozing, but if your spine isn’t correctly aligned, you can wake up feeling sore and groggy instead of refreshed and renewed.
Don’t lose any sleep over it, full-figured friends. We can help you in the mattress department and give you the guidance you need to find a sleep position that will set you up for success.
Well, What is the Best Way to Sleep?
There’s no one-size-fits-all way to snooze, as the best position for sleep depends upon your size and individual needs. Side and back positions are generally better than sleeping on your belly, which strains your spine and back. Most of our weight rests in the middle of your body, and we plus-sized folks have a little more jiggle in the middle, after all! That said, the best sleep position encourages healthy spinal alignment.
However, different positions provide individual benefits that may help you find comfort when dealing with specific aches and pains or a medical condition. Let’s take a closer look.
Best Side Sleeping Position
About 54% of adults are side sleepers . Even if this has always been your go-to position, there’s a right and wrong way to do it to ensure your spine is aligned so you wake up pain-free.
- Roll over to your left side. Sleeping on the left side helps keep the pressure off internal organs while promoting healthy blood flow. It also reduces snoring (including sleep apnea symptoms many full-figured have), improves digestion, and alleviates acid reflux.
- Your ears should be parallel to your shoulders and your chin neutral - not tucked unless you want to wake up with a stiff neck!
- Don’t use your arms as a second pillow. Keep them down along the sides of your rockin’ big bod.
- Place a body pillow between your knees to align your spine and prevent collapsed knee and hip joints. Slightly move your knees towards your chest to alleviate pressure on your back.
Best Couple Sleeping Positions
A sleep study revealed that spooning is couples' most popular sleep position. While it can be a little trickier for plus-sized bodies, both partners sleep on their sides, one behind the other. If you go this route, don’t forget the body pillow to align your spines. While sleep experts read into what your sleeping positions say about you as a couple, at the end of the day, when you’ve got two big bodies in the bed, it’s all about finding a comfortable position — no matter how wild you are about one another!
Best Sleeping Position for Neck Pain
The wrong sleeping position is a pain in the neck — literally! If you regularly experience neck pain due to your job, poor posture, stress, exercise, or accident, you can sleep on your side as outlined above or on your back. Place a rounded pillow under the curve of your neck and pair it with a Big Fig Adjustable Pillow to cushion your head.
Best Sleeping Position for Back Pain
Surveys suggest around 8.2% of adult Americans have chronic back pain — three-quarters of which admit to it affecting their work, mobility, self-care, and social life. The findings also show that most folks surveyed carry some extra weight. The first step is to get a Big Fig Mattress featuring individually wrapped coils to prevent poor back support in those with a fuller figure. Our mattress supports 550 pounds per sleeper, so we’ve got your back, side, front, and whatever other sleeping position you prefer.
The best position for back pain is lying flat with a body pillow under your knees and a Big Fig Adjustable Pillow under your head for ideal spine alignment. If you find it challenging to remain on your back all night, revert to being a side sleeper — this sweet spot has been shown to relieve significant back pain in a month.
On the contrary, the worst sleeping position for lower back pain is unsupported stomach sleeping, which causes your lower back to arch and adds uncomfortable neck strain to the mix.
Best Sleeping Position for Sleep Apnea
No matter how much your shapely partner loves you, nothing ruins a good night’s sleep like snorts and snores. While there are some methods to help manage sleep apnea , when it comes to sleeping position, avoid laying flat on your back to prevent your tongue and jaw from pervading your airway, leading to a noisy night — not to mention a potential argument with your S.O. Position yourself on your side to help keep airways open and snoring to a minimum.
Find Your Best Position to Sleep with Big Fig
Sleeping can be challenging for anyone, let alone when you’re on the larger side. However, when you buy a Big Fig Mattress , you’re already on your way to a better night’s sleep. We’ve fixed common plus-sized sleep issues like mattress sag, poor back support, lack of durability, and night sweats. The only thing you need to focus on is choosing the best sleep position that meets your needs and comfort.
No sleeping position will feel great without the right bed, so start with a Big Fig Mattress for sleep beyond your wildest dreams!
