How Sleep Posture Affects Health: Things You Need to Know

Many of the musculoskeletal problems that arose in the elderly last century have been traced back to improper or deficient sleep posture. Research conducted in recent years has borne out the fact that sleep disorders can be effectively remedied through an integrated approach involving a comprehensive assessment of one’s physical condition and an evaluation of one’s sleeping habits and environment. Numerous studies have shown that sleep problems such as insomnia, snoring, OSA, depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and other such disorders can be effectively eliminated through a combination of proper diagnosis, therapy, and periodic reassessment of one’s sleeping posture. The sleep research laboratory at the University of Iowa is among the most pioneering centers of education in the country dedicated to the study of sleep posture and related disorders.

Sleep Study

Sleep posture is usually assessed by a sleep technician who will evaluate the patient’s sleeping environment, behavior, and overall health during a sleep study. It is common practice for physicians to order an overnight sleep study when sleep routine tests fail to reveal significant differences in the patient’s sleep behavior. The purpose of this sleep study is to observe patients’ movements while they sleep throughout the night. Although many of us view sleep studies and laboratory examinations as frightening events, the experience of clinical sleep studies is generally quite pleasant, calm, and restful. Aromatherapy and IV therapy often play an important role in helping patients overcome sleep apnea and other similar conditions that plague the elderly.

Improper sleep posture has been linked to several conditions such as osteoporosis, hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke, and more. These poor sleeping habits can be avoided by incorporating a holistic approach to overall health care. Holistic approaches to medicine seek to cure the entire body rather than just one ailment. For example, by changing the way we eat and the way we think about our bodies we can eliminate a host of diseases and disorders including insomnia, arthritis, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more. You can try taking herbal teas, which results in good sleep. There are many types of tea that you can choose from; some are green tea, lavender tea, chamomile tea, etc. Studies have shown that an integrated wellness approach can significantly reduce the risks of diabetes, stroke, obesity, and heart disease. Also for better sleeping you can use headphones for sleeping. The right sound will help you to relax and feel at ease.

A holistic approach to health care may seem somewhat foreign to many of us. However, studies continue to reveal the numerous health benefits of integrating this holistic approach to health. For example, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that nearly half of the participants who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) developed a profound increase in mental clarity, emotional stability, and cognitive function. The results were especially profound for individuals suffering from depression.

Studies also revealed that when patients undergo CBT, their symptoms improved dramatically. In addition, researchers discovered that those who participated in nightly HBOT sessions experienced significant increases in energy, weight loss, decreased body fat, and an overall sense of well-being. Those who had previously been struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders were able to overcome their issues after completing nightly sessions in which they were exposed to relaxing sounds, soothing visuals, and gentle exercise. This new sleep-related therapy not only addresses symptoms of insomnia; it can also successfully treat hormone imbalance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

A variety of studies conducted over the last ten years have revealed that sleep position can significantly impact a person’s health. There is a variety of sleeping positions such as couple sleeping position, laying on the back or stomach, etc. When a person is in an improper sleeping position, they are more than likely to wake up with a variety of health problems that they would not otherwise have to worry about. This makes incorporating an integrated approach to improving one’s sleep hygiene into one’s lifestyle all the more important.

Integrated Approach

An integrated approach means that you can take many different approaches to get better sleep. You don’t necessarily have to change your entire lifestyle or make drastic lifestyle changes. However, you do need to make some subtle adjustments so that your daily routines are better aligned with your wellness goals. These changes can be as simple as switching your pillows one night and waking up a little earlier each day. These kinds of small adjustments can make a big difference in how you feel during the day.

One of the primary goals of integrating an integrated approach to improving one’s wellness is to ensure that the body is aligned properly for optimum health. This involves making sure that your head, neck, and spine are in proper alignment while you sleep. To do this, you need to get the proper amount of spinal support. Your spine should remain in an elongated position during the amount of time that you are asleep. You will be surprised by how much easier it is to fall asleep when your spine is properly aligned.

Ergonomic Pillow

One of the best ways to ensure that your spine stays aligned while you sleep is to use an ergonomic pillow. There are several different ones on the market today. Just as many are very comfortable, many are quite pricey. An ergonomic foam pillow, however, is generally quite comfortable and can provide excellent benefits to your overall health.

Life Coaching Program

There are several benefits that a quality life coaching program can provide to those who take it on. If you incorporate some form of life coaching into your overall health plan, you can expect to be more focused, motivated to make positive changes to your health. Most of us know that getting motivated is difficult. It takes a lot more than simply waking up in the morning and trying to get something done. Life coaching provides a unique way to increase your motivation levels.

Life coaching also provides you with a unique opportunity to learn more about yourself. How have you been treating yourself lately? Have you been taking the appropriate steps to improve your overall health over the past few months? Do you feel like there is more that you could do to improve your wellness? A good integrative wellness program can allow you to learn more about yourself and empower yourself to make better choices for your future.

Conclusion

Health professionals have known for some time that poor sleep posture can lead to several health issues including depression, anxiety, weight gain, and even diabetes. Now, several studies are pointing to the relationship between sleep posture and hormone imbalance. One of the largest studies conducted recently looked at more than 800 women with sleep apnea. The researchers found that those who had poorer sleep posture were also more likely to have an overall body mass index that was higher than those who had better sleep habits. Women in their thirties and forties were more likely to have a hormone imbalance.

Sleep posture does not have to be avoided if you are experiencing some of the above-mentioned symptoms. You don’t have to choose between getting better sleep and staying healthy. There are great products on the market today that offer a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy or IV therapy. You don’t have to wait for the next heart attack to find relief!