We often tell ourselves that the more we sleep, the better we feel, as if simply spending 7 or 8 hours in bed would recharge our batteries. And yet, many people wake up each morning with a sense of fatigue.
What many people don’t realize is that part of this issue may stem from the position you sleep in… And not only from the number of hours spent under the covers. There exists a posture that many adopt without thinking about it. But this one can, over the long term, be far from harmless as it seems.
This position, which looks so comfortable at first glance, can compress nerves, slow down blood circulation and cause pain and numbness. Before blaming your pillow, it’s useful to understand how your body reacts during the night!
The position to ban: the “T-Rex” and its effects on the body
You may have noticed you sleep with your arms tucked against your chest, wrists slightly flexed. This posture, called the T-Rex position by some experts, is mainly comfortable… at first. But it can turn into a real trap for your body if you keep it night after night.
The problem comes from the pressure exerted on the nerves around the elbows or wrists. When these nerves are compressed for long periods, it can slow blood circulation in the arms. In plain terms, it can cause tingling, numbness, or pain. You may wake up with your arms numb or stiff, and it’s not just a fleeting sensation. If this pattern repeats, it can eventually lead to real nerve damage, sometimes difficult to treat.
Simple steps for sleeping with healthy habits
Changing a habit that’s been ingrained for years, such as the way you sleep, isn’t always easy. And we often don’t realize our position until after we’ve fallen asleep. Yet a few tips can help your body regain a more neutral posture during the night.
For example, if you usually sleep on your side but tend to bring your arms up toward your chest, place a long pillow in front of you. This creates a comfortable support and limits the possibility of bringing your arms into the T-Rex position. You can also slip a small pillow between your chest and your arms to maintain a more relaxed posture.
Dormir bien ne se résume pas à accumuler des heures de sommeil. The way you position your body at night plays an important role in your comfort, as well as your circulation and your nervous system health. The so-called T-Rex position, though pleasant at first, can end up causing bothersome symptoms, or even nerve damage in the long run.
So this evening, before you dive under the covers, think about your posture: your body will thank you tomorrow morning!
Karla Miller RADIO
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