Have you ever wondered what the sleep habits of mothers are? Of course, moms can always be seen napping with their babies in their arms. But have you asked how they do that? It turns out that it is possible to sleep while sitting up. Our research into this topic has yielded some interesting revelations!
While it may seem like anyone could lean back against anything, sleeping standing up or lying facedown is more accessible than leaning forward without falling over; drowsiness makes maintaining equilibrium difficult; and having the head below the heart will cause discomfort (and eventually pain) due to congestion if one were to fall asleep like that. So, there are three rules to follow to sleep sitting up:
- Face forward to avoid waking facedown or sideways
- Maintain a straight back and neck to avoid waking with a kink
- Lean against something solid enough not to be pushed away by one’s weight upon lying down, but soft enough that it will quickly give way when the sleeper is at rest. Sometimes this means propping oneself up against a wall; other times, sleeping next to an end table will suffice.
We have noticed that standing up for a few hours of work can make a person tired enough that he tends to sleep standing up at night. With this in mind, sitting down for a few hours to watch TV or read before bed has the opposite effect.
Besides that, you can sleep sitting up by propping your back against something (like a wall, but make sure there’s enough room, so you don’t fall backward) and leaning forward with your head below the heart. This takes the pressure off your face but still keeps you semi-upright. It will feel a little weird at first, but once you fall asleep, it’s pretty comfortable.
How sleeping in a sitting position affects your health?
Sleeping in a sitting position has a few health benefits. For one, it’s easier on your neck and back than sleeping in other positions. It also helps keep your airways open, preventing snoring and sleep apnea. Additionally, sleeping sitting up helps reduce the chances of GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) and heartburn.
However, you should avoid sleeping sitting up if you get heartburn or GERD at night since this position can cause your stomach acid to sit in your esophagus.
Also, if you’re not used to it, it may take some getting used to. Since there’s more pressure on the blood vessels in your head than when lying down and more acid in your stomach, sleeping sitting up can cause some nausea and headache for a couple of nights.
The way to sleep sitting up is by maintaining a straight back and neck but leaning forward with the head below the heart. It takes the pressure off your face and prevents you from getting kinks in your neck or waking up with congestion. It will feel weird at first, but it’s pretty comfortable once you fall asleep.
Because of this position’s health benefits for people who suffer from GERD or heartburn, it is advisable to sleep sitting up if only for the temporary relief of reduced acid reflux. Try it out and see how well it works!
How to sleep upright comfortably?
If you want to sleep more upright, try sleeping against a wall. Ensure there is enough space behind your back so that when you lean against the wall, it supports your back and head without pushing you forward.
Are you catching some shut-eye while sitting at work? If you’re tired after standing or walking all day at work, take a load off and get comfortable by sitting in a chair with your back straight and leaning forward with your head below the heart.
If you’d instead not force yourself to sleep while sitting up against a wall or propped up on an end table or armrest, try lying face down on the sofa and prop yourself up on several pillows. This way, you can sleep with your face in the cushions and still be upright enough to keep your airways open.
The two most important rules of sleeping while sitting up are maintaining a straight back and neck but leaning forward with the head below the heart. Most people find this position comfortable because it takes the pressure off their face, opens their airways, and prevents them from getting kinks in their neck or waking up congested.
If you’re having trouble sleeping sitting up against a wall, try putting your back against the sofa while lying facedown on it. Then, use several pillows to prop yourself up at an angle that’s comfortable for you. This way, you can sleep facedown on the couch and still be upright enough to keep your airways open.
Since sleeping sitting up is mainly for temporary relief from GERD or heartburn, it does not hurt to try these methods of staying propped up, if only for short periods, to enjoy some sleep.
If you want to sleep in a more upright position but aren’t ready to try these methods, you can always use good posture while lying down. By keeping your back straight and only slightly leaning on your side or stomach, you can achieve an upright position comfortably.
If it’s the extensive-standing during the day that makes you too tired to sleep at night, take a load off and get comfortable by sitting in a chair with your back straight and leaning forward with your head below the heart.
Summary
Sitting up to sleep is a position that, if done correctly, can be a healthy alternative for relieving symptoms of GERD and heartburn. By keeping your back straight but leaning forward with your head below the heart, you can alleviate pressure from your face and prevent yourself from getting kinks in the neck or waking up congested. So give it a try to see how well it works!
Thanks for reading!