Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Do you find a particular sleeping position that aids with digestion? I'm most comfortable on my stomach, but I've heard it's not optimal for your health. How did cavepeople sleep?

edited May 15 2012 at 13:06

tdgor
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asked May 15 2012 at 4:33

Amberlie
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	Have you considered changing your mealtimes so that you are further along with the digestive process before you lie down to sleep, if you feel digestion is an issue? I should note that I don't believe myself that eating right before bed is automatically bad, but if digestion in sleep is problematic, there's more than one way to address that. – tdgor May 15 2012 at 13:11
	PS I changed the "body-composition" tag because your question as posed didn't relate to it. If I changed it in error, and you actually want to know about this too, could you edit the body of your question to include this? – tdgor May 15 2012 at 13:12

Al88 · Answer 1 · 2012-05-15 05:18:44Z UTC

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I don't know what is paleo but in nursing school we were drilled patient positioning. Ha!

Left side for best cardiac output (especially for pregnancy)
Right side for best gastric emptying
Head of bead elevated for best lung expansion

answered May 15 2012 at 5:18

Al88
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And, of course, on back for infants. – tdgor May 15 2012 at 13:07

Definitely! I should have mentioned that – Al88 May 15 2012 at 16:31

April S. · Answer 2 · 2012-05-15 05:40:30Z UTC

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How did cavepeople sleep?

I'd imagine it was whatever position they were in after having some great sex.

answered May 15 2012 at 5:40

April S.♦
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Wat . – Kasra May 15 2012 at 6:59

Not true! They never had sex in a cave, they always paired off during the day and went to the bushes (or tall grass). Imagine four couples having sex in the same cave - it is like an orgy! – VB May 15 2012 at 12:00

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Why a downvote? – tdgor May 15 2012 at 12:59

I guess some people can't take a joke. – April S.♦ May 15 2012 at 17:02

neowild · Answer 3 · 2012-05-15 12:49:14Z UTC

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Instinctive sleeping and resting postures: an anthropological and zoological approach to treatment of low back and joint pain

answered May 15 2012 at 12:49

neowild
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	That was an interesting article, but what function would a "penis protect" posture serve in females? – tdgor May 15 2012 at 13:04
	Yeah, he does omit half of the human species. Maybe--in his mind--it's a given females want the males to protect their penises. Heh. Anyway, I suspect our ancestors didn't sleep commando but wrapped themselves up. Furthermore, the position wouldn't protect all men. – neowild May 15 2012 at 14:37
	Wow, most of those postures are how I sleep naturally. Also, that's what I was trying to explain in my comment above. Kinda cool... xD – Morticia Munster May 16 2012 at 1:40
	That's how I sleep too! Thank you for this! I wish I could upvote your answer more! So neat! – VB May 16 2012 at 4:05

cerement · Answer 4 · 2012-05-15 05:19:09Z UTC

With absolutely no scientific backing, I'm gonna go with: Whichever position is more comfortable, gets you to sleep faster, and lets you sleep longer.

The only complaints I've seen against stomach sleeping refer to your neck position -- but then these same complaints don't differentiate between a relaxed position and an active position, you're not actively bending (and holding) your head to the side.

I'm a stomach sleeper: on my stomach, I'm out like a light (my brother, the insomniac, hates me). On my back, I toss and turn, takes me forever to get to sleep, and I snore.

SarahH · Answer 5 · 2012-05-15 06:04:30Z UTC

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I've always been told that sleeping on one's back is the best position for destressing and supposedly works to decrease instances of bruxism. I, personally, have yet to see a decrease in this, though.

I sleep best on my side or stomach. When I'm on my stomach, I don't worry about crazy things happening like someone knifing me (this was a reoccurring nightmare as a child), or aliens putting things into my belly. But, I think I'm just a weirdo in that regard. I feel so open and insecure with my belly and neck available to the world!

answered May 15 2012 at 6:04

SarahH
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My childhood nightmare being sucked down the toilet, because my aunt used to tell me to watch out for the toilet bowl. – VB May 15 2012 at 12:02

Some say supine lying puts strain on the lower back. It's definitely not recommended for those with lung/heart conditions or GERD. – Al88 May 15 2012 at 16:33

Left out obesity too – Al88 May 15 2012 at 16:35

AI88, there is no perfect sleeping position for everyone, which is why I mentioned that it's good for destressing and bruxism. There are other sleeping positions for other issues which laying on one's back doesn't aid. – SarahH May 15 2012 at 16:51

Morticia Munster · Answer 6 · 2012-05-15 07:00:49Z UTC

I heard that cavepeople may have slept sort of on their side, tilted towards the ground a bit, one leg a bit over the other, head on arm, other arm resting beside them next to their chest... Sounds very particular, I know. xD

Maybe this way your mouth won't fall open (like sometimes when you sleep on your back) and let bugs in, your organs and things are more protected from the elements, and you can easily get to your knees and up and running if you hear danger. That's also how I sleep most of the time... though not for that reason. I just find it comfortable. Also, fetal position seems kinda comfy too... sometimes I sleep a bit on my stomach, though I don't know how healthy that is. O.o

More Butter Please · Answer 7 · 2012-05-15 06:26:27Z UTC

I am more likely to sleep on my back after a big meal. Sometimes, I dispense with the pillow and sleep with my arms raised, fingers linked, and my head resting on my hands--the way you might lay in the grass at the park. I'm more stretched out in that position, and a full belly doesn't feel like such dead weight that way so I can conk right out. Eventually, I end up on my left side (can't sleep on the right due to an old head injury), but not until my stomach has had time to empty.

I find stomach-sleeping intolerable. I can't even lie in that position without serious discomfort. But that was how I slept as a kid, so go figure. If it works for you, however, I see no reason to stop.

Best sleeping position?

7 Answers