Whether you’re a steadfast back-sleeper or a staunch side-sleeper, just about everyone has their preferred sleeping position. There are a lot of ways to catch some ZZ’s, and it's important to find one that works best for you. The problem is, we all assume that we're sleeping the way we should, but then we wake up with aches and pains as if we've strained a muscle during an intense workout.

Not all sleeping positions are created equal, some are better for you than others

Most people don’t know this, but not all sleeping positions are created equal. Some are proven to be better for your body than others.

Do you ever wake up feeling stiff or sore, like you just strained a muscle? It could be from your sleeping position. Getting enough sleep helps your muscles recover, your body refresh its energy, and your brain process the events of the day. Proper sleeping posture becomes more important as we age because our bodies change over time: bones become less dense, and muscles lose some of their elasticity—both of which can cause aches and pains in older adults if they aren’t properly aligned while sleeping (and awake).

In general there are three types of sleeping positions: back; side; or stomach/face down on pillow (AKA “faceplanting”). Each one is unique in terms of pressure points that put stress on different areas throughout the night—and how hard it will be to function if you wake up feeling sore from being twisted into an awkward position that night before!

 

The best sleeping position to avoid strained muscles for most people? Side sleeping

For the most part, side sleeping is the best position for people to avoid muscle strain. Side sleeping can relieve back pain; it can also help you avoid snoring by keeping your airways open.

Side sleeping is also recommended for reducing the risk of heart disease as it’s been shown to reduce blood pressure, which in turn reduces stress on the heart muscle. Side sleepers are less likely to develop breathing problems than those who sleep on their backs or stomachs. This means they're less likely to suffer from a stroke due to lack of oxygen supply from blood vessels in those areas being compressed against hard surfaces like pillows, mattresses etc.

A back sleeping position is a comfortable alternative to side sleeping -- with the right adjustments

If you're a back sleeper and your mattress is old, lumpy or just not up to par, definitely consider investing in a new one. A firmer mattress will be easier for your spine to rest on, reducing the risk of developing a strain or pain in the long run.

If you have trouble with this position because of a neck injury or neck pain (or any other reason that makes lying on your back difficult), try placing pillows under the neck area or between the legs to achieve an even distribution of weight across all parts of the body. This can help relieve some pressure off your lower back and make sleeping easier overall.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach for your spine's sake 

For many people, sleeping on their stomachs is one of the most comfortable positions. However, it can also put a strain on your back and neck. The position puts pressure on the cervical spine and could cause muscle strain in those areas.

If you have acid reflux, sleeping on your stomach may exacerbate symptoms by causing food to go down into your esophagus rather than stay in the stomach where it belongs. This can lead to more frequent episodes of acid reflux throughout the night— meaning more sleepless nights in addition to sore muscles in the morning.

The best sleeping position for you might be different depending on your age and specific health conditions

If you have a medical condition like back pain or high blood pressure, it's important to find the right sleeping position to make sure that your body can rest as comfortably as possible. It's also important to change positions if you're uncomfortable after a few hours of sleep—no matter how tired you are. This will help prevent body stiffness that could cause pain later in the day.

Aging can also affect the best sleeping position for some people, since older adults tend to lose flexibility over time due to changes in posture and muscle tone (also called "skeletal muscles"). For example, an older person may need extra support for their neck region when lying down flat on their back because aging causes bones in this area to become less flexible over time—making it more difficult for them not only when they're lying down flat but even just sitting upright without support from something firm such as a pillow under their head while they're watching TV or reading before bedtime tonight!

Consciously choose the best sleeping position for you

Sleeping is one of the most important, and rejuvenating, things in life. It’s the time when we rest our bodies and minds, so that we can wake up refreshed and ready to start our next journey. One thing we can do to make sure this happens is consciously making the decision to choose the best sleeping position for our bodies to help us avoid pain and recover faster from any injuries or strains that happen during waking hours.