Sleeping on the back is one of the sleeping positions, about which opinions differ. Some people prefer it and feel comfortable after waking up, while others do not find it comfortable and prefer sleeping in other positions. In this article, we will learn about the most prominent benefits of sleeping in this position and its potential damages.

Benefits of sleeping on the back

There are a number of health benefits of sleeping in this position, including the following:

1. Reducing back and neck pain

Sleeping in this position helps reduce back and neck pain, due to the less pressure on the spine, compared to other sleeping positions, such as sleeping on the stomach.

2. Improve breathing

Sleeping in this position helps to improve breathing, because sleeping in other positions, such as sleeping on the side or stomach, puts pressure on the diaphragm, which may cause shortness of breath, but sleeping on the back with the head raised from the rest of the body helps to breathe deeply, causing many Benefits when you wake up, such as reducing stress and improving mood.

3. The benefits of sleeping on the back for the face

Pillow covers absorb fatty oils from the hair and skin when sleeping on the stomach or side, and when the face rubs against the pillow during sleep, these fatty oils are transmitted to the face, causing the emergence of many skin problems such as white and black heads, wrinkles, skin irritation and redness, so lying on the back helps in Prevention of injury to the face with these problems.

4. Headache resistance

Sleeping in this position helps reduce pressure on the head, which reduces the pain associated with a cervical headache, which occurs due to neck pain.

5. Reduce sinusitis

Sleeping in this position helps treat sinus congestion, reduce obstruction of the nasal passages, and helps relieve the symptoms of GERD.

Benefits of sleeping on the back without a pillow

There is not enough scientific research that proves the benefits of sleeping in this position without a pillow, but some evidence indicates that sleeping without a pillow helps prevent the transmission of bacteria on the pillow to the face, which reduces the appearance of various problems on the face, and sleeping without a pillow when Sleeping may benefit some people, but when sleeping on the stomach and not the back, sleeping without a pillow on the back may increase pressure on the neck and back, which negatively affects the quality of sleep.

Side effects of sleeping on the back

There are a number of groups that should avoid sleeping in this position, and we mention the following:

1. Sleeping on the back for pregnant women

Pregnant women are warned to sleep in this position, because it causes a lack of blood flow to the fetus, and increases the possibility of low birth weight children. It is recommended to sleep on one side and use pillows designed for pregnant women, which helps to improve sleep.

2. Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the sleep disorders that causes sleep apnea due to obstruction of the airway.

3. Constant snoring

It is preferable not to sleep in this position for people who suffer from constant snoring, because this position increases the problem of snoring.

4. Increased acidity

Sleeping in this position increases acidity, so those who suffer from acidity can choose other sleeping positions or support the upper part of the body with more pillows, if you want to lie on your back, while reducing the intake of spicy or fatty foods directly before bed.

After identifying the benefits and harms of sleeping on the back, the choice of sleeping position depends on the person’s comfort, taking care to avoid this position for the categories we mentioned in the article.