We all have our favorite sleeping positions — curled up like a cat, stretched out straight, or sprawled face down after a long day. But did you know that the way you sleep can actually affect not just the quality of your rest, but your overall health as well?

Morning aches, snoring, poor digestion, or lower back pain — your sleeping position can make all the difference. So, which one should you choose for a deeper, more restorative sleep?

The Fetal Position: Comforting and Protective

This is by far the most popular one — about 4 in 10 people sleep this way. Curling up on your side with your knees pulled toward your chest feels cozy and soothing, especially when you’re tired or stressed. It’s also a great option for pregnant women or anyone with back pain. Why? Because it helps keep your spine naturally aligned and can reduce snoring.

One small drawback: if you curl up too tightly, it can restrict your breathing and cause muscle stiffness. A tip — try sleeping on your left side, which promotes better blood circulation, especially during pregnancy.

Sleeping on Your Side (the “Log” Position): A Balanced Choice

In this position, you lie straight on your side with your arms resting alongside your body. It’s an excellent posture for maintaining spinal alignment throughout the night and for reducing the risk of snoring or sleep apnea. It also aids digestion — particularly if you sleep on your left side.

However, it can sometimes cause tension in your shoulders or jaw. To prevent that, place a pillow between your knees to keep your hips aligned, and choose a pillow that supports your head properly.

Sleeping on Your Stomach: Best Avoided

The “free fall” position — lying flat on your stomach with your arms around the pillow — might feel comfortable at first, but it often leads to pain in the neck or lower back. That’s because it forces your head to turn to one side for long periods, straining your neck muscles.

If you can’t sleep any other way, use a very thin pillow (or none at all) and place a small cushion under your pelvis to ease the pressure on your lower back.

Sleeping on Your Back: Not for Everyone

Also known as the “soldier” position, this posture involves lying flat on your back with your arms at your sides. It has real benefits for your spine, as gravity helps keep it naturally aligned. It even prevents sleep wrinkles — yes, that’s actually true!

Still, it’s not ideal for everyone. If you snore or suffer from sleep apnea, you’re better off choosing another position. If you do prefer sleeping on your back, try tucking a small pillow under your knees to make it more comfortable.

What About the Starfish Position?

Here, you lie on your back with your arms and legs spread out. It gives a great sense of freedom, but like the soldier position, it can make snoring worse. If this is your go-to, a firm mattress and a supportive cushion under your knees can really help.

Time to Change Your Sleeping Position?

If you often wake up with aches or struggle to fall asleep, your posture might be to blame. Even a single well-placed pillow can dramatically improve comfort. If you’re thinking about switching positions entirely, do it gradually — your body needs time to adjust. But the payoff could be better, deeper sleep.

So tonight, why not try a new position — and see how different it feels?