Here at the Original Bedstead Company, we’ve been doing a little digging around of late, to see if there really is a best position for truly comfortable sleep.

As individuals it seems pretty obvious that we will all have preferred sleeping habits and that from a health perspective,some might be better than others.

But what we didn’t know is, that by making a few adjustments here and there, it’s possible to get a really good nights sleep, whatever our sleeping position of choice.

Back sleepers rejoice as this is actually the preferred position for sleeping as it places the least amount of stress on the spine, although those who suffer with a snoring partner will know that back sleeping is not always conducive to an undisturbed night!

Making sure that the head is in a neutral position by investing in a specially shaped pillow or using a rolled up towel to support the neck will  enhance the sleep experience.

And placing a pillow under the knees will take the stress off the lower back. A regular pillow works just fine for this.

Finally, for those of us with continental style adjustable beds, it’s worth raising the foot end a little, so that our feet are at the same level as our heads. For optimum night time blood circulation, this is a must.

Side sleepers are at risk of putting stress on the spine, although by using a cervical pillow, the effect is minimised.

Once again, it’s all about keeping the neck and head in a neutral position with no unnatural forces in any one direction. Placing a pillow between the knees helps to aid comfort also and is good for anyone with hip joint pain. And it’s a good idea to avoid sleeping with the arms above the head, as this can cause stress to the nerves that lead from the neck to the arms, creating tingling and numbness.

Stomach sleepers place the most stress on their neck region as the head is turned to one side or another, often for hours at a time.

The body will normally try to shift position to compensate, which is why belly sleepers will habitually toss and turn. Placing a pillow under the waist and dispensing entirely with the head pillow will help to minimise the stress to the muscles and joints, and of course there are other factors that will help.

We all know that a good quality mattress is essential for a good nights sleep whatever sleeping position you might prefer.

Old saggy mattresses are unlikely to ever provide enough support whilst too –soft new mattresses might feel great in the showroom, but after a nights sleep are likely to leave us feeling un-rested and aching.

Supportive but not too firm is the ideal criteria and there’s simply no substitute for good sales advice here and lots of trying and testing!

All common sense stuff we suppose, but we’re still constantly surprised at how many people still manage to get it wrong. Like so many things in life, a little research and investment of time initially, can pay huge dividends in the long run.

And surely no more important when it comes to our state of wellbeing, health and comfort, whatever our sleeping characteristics!