It's one of the questions I get asked most—so here's a simple way to think about it.

We spend about a third of our lives asleep, and most of us never stop to think about how we're doing it.

But the position you sleep in has a real say in how you feel when you wake up.

The idea is simple: when your body is resting in a relaxed, neutral position, your muscles get to actually relax. When it isn't, they spend the night working to hold you in an awkward shape—and that's often why you wake up stiff or sore.

Here's how the main positions tend to stack up:

• Back is often the easiest on your body. A pillow under your knees helps support your low back.
• Side is a close second. A pillow between your knees keeps your hips from twisting out of line.
• Stomach is the hardest. It forces your low back into too much of an arch and keeps your neck turned to one side all night.

A simple rule of thumb: whatever keeps your head, neck, and hips most in line is usually the most restful.

And to be clear—position isn't the whole story. Getting enough hours matters too. But it's one of the easiest things to adjust, and it asks nothing of you once you're asleep.

One thing I notice in practice: sometimes people fix their sleep position and still wake up stiff. When that keeps happening, it's usually a sign something else is going on that's worth paying attention to.

A simple way to start

You don't have to overhaul anything tonight.

If you can, sleep on your back or your side, and add a pillow—under your knees on your back, or between your knees on your side. Then just notice how you feel in the morning.

Final thought

We put a lot of energy into how we feel during the day. But a surprising amount of that gets decided overnight—by something as simple as the way we settle in at night.

Dr. Nicole Uomoto Renewed Strength Chiropractic Move Well. Feel Lighter.

28 W. Juniper Avenue, Suite 204 · Gilbert, AZ 85233 · 480-462-2678 ·  rschiroaz.com · @RenewedStrengthChiro