A quality sleep is all one needs for a happier tomorrow. The importance of good sleep cannot be stressed enough. However, among various reasons for not getting that much-needed sleep, neck pain troubles many.
A wrong sleeping position can end up in a horrible neck pain after a nap. Also, age-related wear and tear are inevitable.
Experts at Harvard Medical School list 5 sleeping positions that can be described as the best to avoid neck pain.
"Two sleeping positions are easiest on the neck: on your side or on your back. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck, with a flatter pillow cushioning your head," mentioned Harvard.
"This can be achieved by tucking a small neck roll into the pillowcase of a flatter, softer pillow, or by using a special pillow that has a built-in neck support with an indentation for the head to rest in," the experts added.
Here are some additional tips:
- Feather pillows can easily conform to the shape of the neck. However, they should be replaced over time as they collapse after a certain period.
-A traditionally shaped pillow with 'memory foam' that conforms to the contour of your head and neck is the next best option.
- Try not to use too high or too stiff pillows, which can cause pain and neck stiffness the next morning.
- For people who sleep on their side, it is a good option to keep the spine straight by using a pillow that is higher under your neck than the head
- A horseshoe-shaped pillow can support the neck and prevent the head from dropping to one side while travelling
Experts also advise avoiding sleeping on the stomach as it puts stress on the spine.
For more information, consult a health expert.
