![]() But as your baby shifts between sleep stages, they may wake and not be able to get themself back to sleep. Their sleep cycles start to become more like an adult's in how they alternate between light sleep and deep sleep. Sleep shifts: Between 3 and 6 months old, most babies adjust their sleep patterns to be awake more during the day and asleep for longer periods at night.What is sleep apnea? This sleep disorder could be the reason you're always tired.įeeling like you can't move in the morning? It could be sleep paralysis.Īre you getting enough REM sleep? The answer might be in your dreams. Video: 4 nighttime routine tips to help you sleep better But can it help you sleep better at night? "I always suggest to my patients to try out different mattresses before purchasing to ensure that it is the best fit for them." Learn more about common sleep woes here: "You want to choose a mattress that will help maintain a comfortable spinal alignment for you to be able to get consistent, quality sleep," offers Dering. "If you find your current sleeping situation painful, think through how your spine is positioned, then brainstorm different ways to change the sleeping environment to address one of these aspects of positioning," he advises.Īnd never underestimate the importance of a quality mattress in dealing with back pain. These include the bending of one's knees and the use of an extra pillow to aid in one's comfort for each sleeping position:Īndrew Frost, PT, a practicing physical therapist with Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, says that in lieu of a pillow, some people prefer the firmness of a rolled-up towel, and others find that "temporarily sleeping in a recliner," can be helpful in reducing their back pain at night. "It's important to note that there is not a 'best' sleeping position for everyone," explains Dering, "however, there are ways to modify sleeping positions in the presence of low back pain." Safely administered pain medication or the application of ice can be helpful, but simple adjustments to one's sleeping position are the best way to take the strain off one's back when trying to get a good night's rest. Not moving enough during the day can weaken core muscles and limit blood flow, and strengthening exercises and stretches are important for regaining spinal stability.Īt the same time, the rest one achieves while sleeping at night is vital – and there are proven ways of improving the quality of that sleep even with the presence of lower back pain. ![]() While some rest can certainly be helpful, doctors do not generally recommend staying in bed both night and day to treat most instances of back pain because activity and mobility are usually essential for recovery. While sleeping at night is essential and unavoidable whether back pain is present or not, a common myth is that bedrest is a good treatment for back pain during the daytime as well. Should I rest in bed if I have lower back pain? "The way you position yourself at night affects the alignment of the lumbar spine, and thus can affect the pressure imparted on pain-sensitive structures throughout the night," explains Dering. Such sleep loss from pain occurs because the anatomy of one's spine makes it more sensitive to sleep positioning when lower back pain is present. "Low back pain can often make it difficult to get a good night’s rest," says Stephen Dering, PT, an orthopedic clinical specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. While many people are able to sleep through some level of discomfort, some back pain is more acute and painful than others. Why is lower back pain worse when sleeping? Another known cause of sleep loss is chronic pain, including lower back pain. For some, sleep can bring dread if they struggle with other issues, like sleep paralysis. In a 2022 Casper-Gallup poll, only 3 in 10 American adults said they get "excellent" or "very good" sleep each night and a Journal of the American Medical Association study found that nearly half the county is sleep deprived.Ĭommon causes of sleep deprivation include sleep apnea, insomnia, nighttime interruptions, fears of the dark, restless leg syndrome and sleep disorders. Americans aren't getting enough sleep and it's not a secret – most know it.
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