What is the best sleeping position? A specialist explains the basics of sleep hygiene
Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
In-depth
Named sources
Context piece
- Doctor Jorge Tartaglione recommends seven to eight hours of sleep and says side sleeping, preferably on the left, can help with snoring, back pain and reflux.
- He advises avoiding stomach sleeping, keeping the room dark, quiet and cool, and removing distractions such as plants, televisions and phones.
- Tartaglione also stresses proper pillow placement, including support at the shoulder and, if needed, between the legs.
Doctor Jorge Tartaglione says sleep is essential to the body’s overall functioning and recommends seven to eight hours each night.
We cannot live without sleeping. Sleeping properly, for the right number of hours, seven to eight hours a day, is very important, very important.
He advises against sleeping on the stomach because the position can cause severe lower-back pain. Instead, he recommends sleeping on one’s side, preferably the left side. That position can help prevent snoring and reflux, he says. When a person sleeps on their back, the tongue can fall backward and obstruct the passage of air. Sleeping on the left side also keeps the esophagus positioned in a way that helps stop stomach acid from moving upward.
Tartaglione links these recommendations to “sleep hygiene,” a set of habits and environmental conditions intended to support uninterrupted rest. He says the bedroom should be calm, tidy and free of distractions, with closets closed and no plants in the room. He also recommends total darkness and silence, while warning that excessive heat can cause sweating and make sleep more difficult.
Sleeping on your side, the best position is on your side, on the left side.
The specialist advises avoiding screens, including the television and mobile phone, although he acknowledges that doing so can be difficult. He also says pillow placement matters. The pillow should fit into the shoulder area so the head does not remain unsupported, and a pillow between the legs can improve hip alignment.
What it causes is enormous lower-back pain.
For older adults, he recommends sleeping on the back with a low pillow.
It is essential to have a bright, tidy room, with the closets closed, even though it may seem crazy.
About this summary
Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
More Stories
From Our Blog
News in Translation: What Gets Lost, and How We Keep the Framing
Diaspora Media: How Communities Follow News From Home
Traveling Where the Press Is Not Free: How to Read the News There
The Digital Nomad's Guide to Local News
The Same Story, Different Countries: How Coverage Changes at the Border
