Do You Sleep on Your Back or Side? After 50 years of research, eminent Stanford University Derila Sleep Support researcher William Dement reportedly said the only solid explanation he knows for why we sleep is "because we get sleepy". Even though sleep may be, as one researcher put it, "the only major behavior in search of a function", it clearly does matter for our health and wellbeing. But are we doing it right? What does the research say about sleeping position? Is there a correct position to sleep in? Most people prefer to sleep on their side. This is good to hear, as those who lie on their backs are more likely to be poor sleepers or have breathing difficulties during the night. In most cases, we tend to move around quite a lot during the night. One study of 664 sleepers found, on average, that participants spent about 54 percent of their time in bed sleeping on their side, about 37 percent on their back, Buy Derila Pillow for Better Sleep and about 7 percent on their front.

Males (especially those aged under 35) tend to be most restless, with more position shifts, and arm, thigh, and upper-back movements during the night. This may not be a bad thing, as allowing your body to move during the night is generally a good idea. During sleep, your body will keep track of any pain or discomfort and adjust position accordingly. This is why we usually avoid developing bedsores (or pressure ulcers) in everyday life. If you find you can't move because your partner (or dog) is taking up too much room in the bed, consider switching sides or getting a larger bed. And don't tuck yourself in too tightly