Is It Good to Sleep on Your Stomach at Night?

People spend approximately 6 to 8 hours sleeping every day, and the quality of sleep has a certain relationship with one's health. Therefore, sleep is crucial for the human body, and it is essential to maintain regular sleep habits, such as going to bed early and waking up early. When sleeping, it is important to ensure that the bedroom is quiet, the air is fresh, and there is no draught. Additionally, choosing a healthy sleeping posture is also crucial.

Some people prefer sleeping on their stomachs, but is it a good habit? Let's explore this topic further. Firstly, sleeping on the stomach is not generally considered the best sleeping posture, as the best positions are usually supine or lateral. However, if someone occasionally sleeps on their stomach, it may not have a significant impact. But, sleeping in this position for extended periods can have negative consequences.

The lungs and heart are located within the chest cavity. Sleeping on the stomach can potentially compress the chest, leading to breathing difficulties, heart compression, suffocation, respiratory distress, and oxygen deficiency. This may result in feelings of fatigue and dizziness when waking up in the morning. If children sleep on their stomachs, it may also affect the normal development of their sternum and chest.

Secondly, there is a common misconception about the ideal sleeping posture. Some people believe that sleeping on the right side is the best position, as it does not affect the heart or breathing, and that sleeping with the head facing north and the feet facing south aligns with the magnetic fields of the Earth. However, these beliefs lack scientific evidence. The most important aspect of sleeping posture is comfort and relaxation. Left-side sleeping does not necessarily affect the heart, and various positions such as prone, supine, and right-side sleeping are acceptable.

During sleep, people naturally change their position as they relax and turn over, adjusting to the most comfortable position without compromising breathing or circulation. Thirdly, it is important to pay attention to the height of the pillow and the firmness of the mattress. It is recommended to use a neck pillow and a moderately firm bed. Under these conditions, relaxing sleep with natural posture and adjustment through natural turning over is ideal. The direction of the head, whether facing north, south, east, or west, is less important, and the main focus should be on creating the most comfortable and convenient sleeping environment.