The best sleeping position has been revealed (and only eight percent of us do it)

We humans sleep a lot. Roughly eight hours a night and a third of our lives, if you’re after figures.

So, how come some of us still get it so wrong?

Fatigue, back problems and next day aches are all symptoms of a bad night’s sleep. But it turns out your sleeping position could be having an big effect.

We’ve all got a favourite – on your front, on the side, curled up like a baby – but apparently, the best way to settle down for the night is staring at the ceiling.

According to Popular Science, various studies and experts praise the benefits of sleeping on your back. This is because the position forces your head, neck and spine to maintain a neutral position.

Bravo if this is your default position, because reportedly only eight per cent of the population do it.

In addition, sleeping on your back is thought to prevent heartburn, as it keeps your head elevated above your chest. Good news for any sufferers.

Speaking to Popular Science, Shelby Harris, a sleep medicine expert at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has revealed there are ways to train yourself to sleep in your back. So it’s not all bad for front as side sleepers.

She recommends putting both pillows on the sides of your body when you’re ready for bed and one under your knees, making a kind of wall to prevent you moving out on position. Presumably, before long muscle memory will take over and you’ll start assuming the position naturally.

Another (more extreme) method is to sew a tennis ball into the front or sides of your pyjama top. When you resume your normal position, the discomfort will force you to flip back again.

But if you don’t fancy looking slightly crazy wearing tennis ball pjs (understandable), we’d maybe stick to the former.

“Although it is commonly recommended that sleeping on your back is the best position to sleep in, comfort is key,” Harris says. “If you’re in pain or uncomfortable from your sleep position, it can definitely impact your sleep quality.”

She finishes: “Sleep quality is extremely important in your overall health, memory, mood, and energy.”

There’s that then – make sure you’re lying on your back tonight.

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