Home LivingWellnessSleepYour partner’s sleep position could be affecting your health – here’s whySleep expert gives verdict on these 6 couples sleep positionsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleepYour partner’s sleep position could be affecting your health – here’s whySleep expert gives verdict on these 6 couples sleep positionsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Sleep expert gives verdict on these 6 couples sleep positions
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels)
(Image credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels)
If you share a bed with someone, you’ll have definitely had your fair share of rested and restless nights. Tossing and turning, being too hot or cold and needing the toilet are all things that keep you awake at night – and that’s just if you sleep on your own!
When sharing thebest mattress, taking into account another person who has their own schedule, circadian rhythm and sleep preferences is important because it affects how well you sleep and your overall health and wellbeing. From spooning to starfishing, yours and your partners’ sleep positions are held for several hours during sleep so if you’re in an awkward position, this can have a lasting negative impact on your neck, back and spine.
To understand more, we spoke to Alison Jones, sleep expert at leading mattress brandSealywho gave us tips on the most popular sleep positions for couples and how they affect you.
1. Spooning
(Image credit: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels)
(Image credit: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels)
Expert verdict: Good for you & your partner
Starting off with the most popular couple’s sleep position: spooning! Spooning is where both partners sleep on the same side with one person hugging the other from behind with their arms wrapped around them. While you might not believe this is a comfortable position, (for example, some big spoons wake up in the night with a dead arm), it’s a surprisingly good position to sleep in. According to Aliso, this is because “sleeping on your side is moderately supportive and good for breathing as it doesn’t obstruct your airways as much as others.”
2. Face to face
(Image credit: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels)
(Image credit: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels)
Expert verdict: So-so for you & your partner
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Next is the face to face sleep position which has its positives and negatives. When sleeping face to face, you’re very close to your partner even if you’re not touching or holding each other. Its main benefits are overall body support as you’re on your side (see5 tips for side sleepersif you enjoy this position) which helps with alignment and pressure on joints and muscles – as long as you have enough room to move your limbs.
However, if you like your space when you sleep, this might not be the position for you “as it means direct contact and deep breathing is in your face all night. A solution to this is to adopt the position in the lead up to sleep but move into something more comfortable as you start to drift off.”
3. Back to back
(Image credit: Gary Barnes / Pexels)
(Image credit: Gary Barnes / Pexels)
Expert verdict: Good for you & your partner
4. Sweetheart cradle
(Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels)
(Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels)
Expert verdict: Bad for you & your partner
Moving away from side sleeping, the sweetheart cradle position is when one person sleeps on their side with their head on their partner’s chest. While this position has its benefits as it provides intimate contact which is good for releasing oxytocin aka the love hormone, it’s not great for spinal alignment. “Each person has pressure applied to either their body or neck. Whilst it may feel cosy, it’s not advised to hold the sweetheart cradle for long, as it will result in neck pain, numbness in your arms and may cause more permanent back problems”, says Alison.
5. Intertwined
(Image credit: Ron Lach / Pexels)
(Image credit: Ron Lach / Pexels)
Expert verdict: Good for you & your partner
6. Starfish
(Image credit: Ron Lach / Pexels)
(Image credit: Ron Lach / Pexels)
Expert verdict: So-so for you & your partner
The starfish is a popular position if you sleep on your own in terms of “sleep quality and impact on the body, as it gives you the space you need to truly relax, resulting in you waking up feeling rested and refreshed.” Spreading out like a starfish on your back is the best way to achieve this position as “sleeping on your back is great for back pain and supports your spine, alleviates aches, pains and avoids wrinkles as face to pillow contact is minimal.”
However, it’s not ideal if you’re sharing a bed with someone as you and your partner might not have enough space to move your arms and legs freely through the night. If you or your partner snores, this is also a position to avoid as it can increase your snoring due to your outspread arms and open airways. For more sleep tips, take a look at these5 tips for back sleepers.
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