Can Changing Your Sleep Position Alter Your Dreams?


Choosing a sleeping posture is undoubtedly a personal choice. The first thing that comes to mind when considering sleeping postures is comfort. We all have different preferred sleeping positions. As a result of pressure from various sleeping positions on various body parts, these bodily sensations may influence aspects of dreams.

Researchers looked into the relationship between dream recurrence and sleep quality. They discovered that 22 slept on their left side and 41 on their right. According to the study, people who slept on their left side experienced dreams more frequently. The participants who slept on their right side described having dreams in which they felt relieved and secure. Additionally, they slept more soundly than people who slept to their left.

According to further research, people who slept on their stomachs experienced vivid and uplifting dreams. According to the findings, resting posture was more important than personality in determining to dream.

What Results in Dreams?

Everyone has dreamed at some point in their lives, and dreaming may be described as a state of consciousness that is characterized by events that take place while we are sleeping on the levels of sensory processing, cognitive processing, and emotional processing.

Examples of possible justifications are −

  • Representing irrational desires and wishes;

  • deciphering random brain and body signals while sleeping;

  • combining and processing information collected throughout the day;

  • acting as a form of psychotherapy.

Best Sleeping Position?

Your dreams and the quality of your sleep might be positively or negatively influenced by the posture in which you choose to sleep.

Sleeping on the Side − The most common posture for sleeping is on one's side, also known as the lateral sleep position. However, sleeping on your side can also have drawbacks, including developing wrinkles on your face and a restricted diaphragm that prevents you from inhaling deeply while you slumber. Keeping your gut below your esophagus while you sleep on your left side may help with reflux because of gravity. You may experience dreams of scorching or swallowing if you sleep on your right side.

Compared to sleeping on your back or tummy, sleeping on your side appears to aid the brain's lymphatic system in removing waste more quickly. Toxins and harmful proteins must be removed from our brain's waste system to function correctly and protect us from neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia.

If you have acid reflux, lying on your left side is best. Studies show that lying on one's right side worsens acid reflux symptoms. To promote circulation and blood flow to the placenta, it is recommended that pregnant women lie on their left side. It may be more beneficial to slumber on your left side.

Sleeping on Back −. Only 8% of Dreamers choose this position. In actuality, though, many individuals find it the best sleeping position. Our bodies can align naturally while we sleep on our backs, distributing our weight equally. This indicates that no one spot is under excessive pressure. This is why sleeping on one's back typically results in more restorative sleep because it's the position that typically needs the least amount of readjusting throughout the night. Sleeping on your back can lessen acid reflux or GERD problems at night. If you suffer from acid reflux and decide to sleep on your back, ensure your esophagus is elevated above your stomach. A good, supportive pillow should accomplish this.

What situations don't call for back sleeping? In case you snore or experience obstructive sleep apnea. The airway is more likely to collapse while you sleep on your back, worsening snoring and more apneic episodes. On their side or stomachs is the best position for people who snore or have sleep apnea. It has been demonstrated that staying off the back while sleeping lowers blood pressure in those with OSA.

Sleeping on the Stomach − This slumber position is chosen by just 7% of people. People who struggle to sleep on their sides due to mild forms of these conditions may find that sleeping on their stomachs is a good alternative because it can help decrease snoring and sleep apnea. Your back and neck may have difficulty sleeping on your stomach, resulting in more soreness and discomfort. This is due to how difficult it is to maintain proper spinal alignment and prevent pressure on the spine and neck when you are sprawled out on your stomach. Your neck is elevated by your pillow and rotated 90 degrees away from the rest of your body. That will only lead to neck strain and discomfort. Your spine develops a noticeable curve—similar to sleeping with your back bent over—which places pressure on your lower back and may result in pain and stiffness. Additionally, stomach sleeping forces your face into your cushion, exacerbating wrinkles and other aging symptoms.

Sleeping in a Fetal Position − It seems that the majority of people, especially women, sleep in this curled-up version of the side sleeping position. You may get many of the same benefits from sleeping in the fetal position that you would from sleeping on your side, including fewer instances of snoring and less stress on your back. After curling your body into a tight ball, you may find that the following day your body feels stiff. Since your diaphragm isn't being used to its full potential, the fetal position might also make it more difficult for you to breathe. If you like to sleep in the fetal position, you may want to think about using a body pillow so that you don't curl up too tightly when you're sleeping.

What kind of sleeping position do you find most comfortable? It is the one in which you have the least anxiety, in which you get the highest quality sleep, and in which your specific health issues are taken into consideration. If you find that you are having difficulties falling asleep, try moving positions throughout the night to see if this helps you get a better night's sleep.

Updated on: 03-Mar-2023

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