{"id":25055,"date":"2022-12-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/stomach-sleeper\/"},"modified":"2023-08-01T13:54:20","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T13:54:20","slug":"stomach-sleeper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/stomach-sleeper\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Sleep Tips for Stomach Sleepers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all have our preferred sleeping positions\u2014some of us, even from childhood. Many children sleep on their tummies\u2014and perhaps it\u2019s something you\u2019ve carried into adulthood, doing so each and every night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As comfortable as the position is to you, you may be surprised to learn that stomach sleeping is generally advised against.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSleeping on your stomach can place strain on your back and neck,\u201d says Lauri Leadley, president and clinical sleep educator at\u00a0Valley Sleep Center<\/a>. \u201cStomach sleepers also report more tossing, turning, and restlessness<\/a> during the night as well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we\u2019ll provide more information on stomach sleeping and how to improve your sleep as a stomach sleeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a stomach sleeper?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A stomach sleeper is \u201csomeone who places most of their weight on the front side of their body while sleeping,\u201d says Leadley. \u201cThere are variations on the stomach sleeper\u2014however, defaulting to chest and tummy to mattress is what constitutes a stomach sleeper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of stomach sleepers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While nothing entirely definitive has been deduced, there have been some fascinating research discoveries made linking sleeping positions to personality traits<\/a>, physical and mental health quality, and dream activity and recall, notes Leadley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe love the notion of linking position to personality traits and always take this into consideration whenever a sleep study is performed,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some typical stomach sleeping positions, along with what they might say about your personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free faller<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFree fallers sleep on their stomachs with their head to the side,\u201d Leadley says. \u201cSome sleep with the pillow, however, this can cause strain on a sideways-resting head\u2014 and some omit the pillow completely.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personality-wise, Leadley says people who sleep like this are often said to approach life in a free-fall style, taking risks and opting for the “backroads” over conventional planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running man<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For this position, people generally sleep on their stomachs with one arm to the side with the other arm and leg up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRunning man sleepers tend to sleep with their faces down into the pillow,” says Leadley. “Placing a small pillow on the edge of your pillow just under the forehead will help you breathe easier and will relieve strain on the neck.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to personality, running man sleepers tend to be those who are always on the go and can\u2019t sit still, “running” to the next adventure, adds Leadley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skydiver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSkydivers sleep with one leg up and both arms up over the head,” Leadley explains. “This sounds incredibly uncomfortable, but sleeping this way allows for a nice stretch and can help a bit with circulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personality-wise, skydivers are known to have a childlike character and love adventure, says Leadley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is sleeping on your stomach bad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You might be wondering, \u201cIs it bad to sleep on your stomach?\u201d Like any sleep position, there are benefits and drawbacks of stomach sleeping.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Leadley, some of the positive attributes of stomach sleeping include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n