What is the ideal sleeping position for getting a good night's sleep? It is debatable.

Whatever sleeping position you choose, whether on your back, side, or stomach, it most likely feels as natural to you as being left- or right-handed. However, not all sleeping positions are created equal. In actuality, your sleeping position is one of several factors that determine the type of bed you should buy: back sleepers benefit from luxuriant contouring, while stomach sleepers require a robust, firm mattress to help with spinal alignment.

Does this imply that one sleep posture is superior to another if your sleep position affects how you sleep? In both cases, sure. Your sleeping position can make or break your sleep quality, and some positions are better than others for getting a good night's sleep. However, the optimum sleeping posture for you may not be the ideal sleeping position for someone else. It is determined by a variety of factors, including whether you snore, have any medical concerns, or suffer from back or hip pain.

It is vital to trust your instincts. If you're constantly waking up during the night, tossing and turning, or disturbing up your partner by snoring, it's time to adjust sleeping positions.

Ben Smarr is a sleep science adviser at Oura and an assistant professor of bioengineering and data science at UC San Diego. According to Smarr's research, those who sleep in specific positions have better overall sleep quality. Because personal preferences and health concerns are so important, it's crucial to consult with your doctor about your specific circumstance.

Continue reading to find out more about the benefits of different sleeping positions, as well as how they affect certain sleep problems and health concerns.

Side sleeping

Snoring is a frequent sleep problem, especially if you share a bed. While snoring is not a medical problem in and of itself, it is an indication of sleep apnea, a serious medical condition in which you stop breathing while sleeping.

One of the best positions for snoring or sleep apnea is on your side. "While many people prefer to sleep on their backs, side sleepers snore less, so that's usually the favored posture," Smarr says.

According to The Sleep Better Council, whether or not you snore, most individuals prefer to sleep on their sides. Sleeping on your left side is the best position if you have acid reflux, heartburn, or indigestion at night. If you get back or hip pain while sleeping on your side, place a pillow between your legs or knees to relieve the tension.

Stomach sleeping

Sleeping on your stomach is preferable to sleeping on your back if you have sleep apnea because it keeps your airways open and allows you to breathe more easily. This is also true for snoring, since keeping your airways as wide as possible will help.

The negative of sleeping on your stomach is that it may increase neck or lower back discomfort. This is because sleeping on your stomach may cause your neck to be in an abnormal position. Sleeping on your stomach also causes your back to arch from neutral to more arched, causing low back discomfort. Don't worry about altering positions if you don't have any trouble sleeping on your stomach.

Sleeping on your back

Sleeping on your back is not suggested if you have lower back pain or sleep apnea, according to The Better Sleep Council. Smarr agrees, especially if you snore or have sleep apnea.

"Because your airway flexes more front to back than side to side while lying on your back, it's more likely to collapse," Smarr explains. "Lifting your head can help your weight transfer away from your neck and lessen the risk of your nose or neck collapsing in on itself, but it's a trade-off between verticality and breathing, which is difficult to master."

However, if you do not have sleep apnea, sleeping on your back has various advantages. Because your weight is more equally distributed and centered in this posture, sleeping on your back is healthy to your spine. Sleeping on your back is advantageous if you have acid reflux because you are facing up and are less likely to get indigestion.

-This article's content is offered primarily for educational and informational reasons and is not intended to be used as medical or health advice. If you have any concerns regarding a medical condition or your health goals, you should always consult a physician or another certified health professional.