People who have frequent nightmares!… “Check if you sleep in this position”

People who have frequent nightmares!… “Check if you sleep in this position”

Sleeping position affects the quality and duration of sleep. Is how you sleep or your sleeping posture related to having nightmares?

According to research on the connection between sleeping position and dreams, people who prefer sleeping on their left side are more likely to have nightmares than those who sleep on their right side.

 

Theresa Chung, a dream decipherer and bestselling author, explained the connection between sleeping positions and having nightmares in an interview with the American IT media outlet Tom's Guide.

 

"Sleeping on your left side puts more stress on the heart, so it may be related to nightmares," said Cheong. "When you are stressed, the quality of sleep deteriorates and you have nightmares."

He also said, “People who sleep on their backs have more nightmares than those who sleep on their stomachs. There are more research results showing that sleeping on your back leads to nightmares.”

 

He speculated that having nightmares while sleeping on one's back may be due to how sleeping position affects breathing. According to research, breathing problems such as sleep apnea worsen when sleeping on one's back, which can lead to nightmares.

 

He said, “People who experience breathing problems at night are more likely to transition from deep sleep to light sleep and are more likely to have anxiety-themed dreams,” adding, “Since there is definitive research showing that breathing problems reduce sleep quality, the probability of having nightmares increases as sleep quality deteriorates.”

 

"The best way to avoid nightmares is to sleep in a position optimized for healthy breathing," Cheong said. "Sleeping on your right side is probably better for having good dreams."

 

However, having nightmares is not solely due to sleeping position; the sleep environment and sleep routine are also important. He said, “Comfort is always a key factor in sleep,” adding, “In fact, the best way to influence the content of your dreams always starts with sleep hygiene.”