You probably already know that the position you sleep in has a lot to do with how well you sleep — but did you know just how many pros and cons come along with each one? I sure didn't, so this infographic was quite an eye-opener. Of course, once we fall asleep, we may not have a heck of a lot of control over which position into which we curl our bodies... but it's still kind of nice to know what's going on while we're catching our zzzzzzs, too.
Created by back health-focused furniture retailer The Back Store, the infographic seen here breaks down five common sleep position and details what's awesome about each, as well as what's not so awesome about them. Although most of us tend to sleep in one specific way, it's always possible that more than one of the lists of pros and cons here might apply to you. Myself, for example? I tend to alternate between the fetal position and sleeping on my stomach. On the plus side, both of them prevent snoring (and sleep apnea, in the case of stomach sleeping); the downside, however, includes both joint pain (for the fetal position) and lower back pain (for stomach sleeping). If I end up a bent and gnarled old woman by the time I reach my twilight years... well, it looks like I'll probably only have myself to blame.
I'd be OK with it if it came with laser eyes, though.
Not happy with the position in which you habitually snooze? According to Sleep City, you can train yourself to sleep on your back; as such, it stands to reason that you'd probably be able to train yourself to sleep in any of the other positions, too. I'm not sure I'd recommend sleeping sitting up all the time, though — it's probably going to be pretty creepy for anyone who happens to be sleeping in the same room as you.
See the full infographic below, and don't forget to check out these answers to your most pressing sleep-related questions while you're at it:
Images: Jim Blob Blann/Flickr; Giphy; The Back Store
