The most comfortable sleep position is probably the one or one of the best sleep positions for you. As a general rule, there is not one sleep position which is good for everybody all the time. Finding the most comfortable sleep position is often a process of trial and error.

Different people will find different sleep positions to be the most comfortable. In fact, sometimes even the same person will find different positions to be most comfortable at different times.

With that said, the following are some general guidelines. They may serve as a starting point in helping you find your most comfortable sleep position.

  1. Avoid uncomfortable sleep positions, even if you have been told that it is the best position in which to sleep. There may be rare exceptions to this.
  2. If you find a sleep position that is comfortable, use it. It probably is not bad for you, even if you have been told that by someone you respect. An exception to this rule might be, and that is a big might be, sleeping flat on your stomach for long periods of time with your neck completely turned. Sleeping like that can be irritating to your neck.
  3. The most comfortable sleep positions are often those which keep your spine closest to neutral, especially if you have back or neck pain. Neutral spine is the position your spine is in when you are standing tall looking straight ahead.
  4. Neck and low back pillows and supports can help decrease pain by maintaining a neutral spine position.
  5. Vary your sleep positions. Positional variety is always a good thing.
  6. If activities such as lifting, bending forward, or sitting make your pain worse, then
    1. Avoid sleeping on your back unless you ensure your low back is well supported,
    2. Avoid curling up into a fetal position, and
    3. Try lying on your side with support between your hips and ribs and with one leg straight.
  7. If activities such as bending backwards or reaching overhead make your pain worse, then
    1. Avoid sleeping on your stomach and
    2. Try sleeping on your back or side, with some minimal support if necessary.
  8. If you experience sharp jolts of pain when you roll over in bed, then try to roll over by moving your shoulders and hips in sync to avoid twisting your back.

Use the above guidelines as a starting point and then modify them as necessary to find the most comfortable sleep position. If you are unable to find a comfortable sleep position after having tried various positions and pillows or supports, it might be time to consider purchasing a new mattress.