Getting quality sleep is a significant problem for all of us. However, it's a much bigger challenge for heavy people. In addition to the common causes of sleeplessness, heavy people also have to deal with other sleep issues like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, inadequate support, night sweats, acid reflux, and many more.
When these conditions aren't addressed, it may lead to sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep may cause obesity, which will lead to more sleep problems. Not only that, being obese comes with lots of health risks such as stroke, cancer, and the likes.
It seems like there's no end to this cycle. However, there's something you can do to put a stop to it. The key is to address any sleep problem you have early on. After all, prevention is better than cure.
5 Sleep tips for Heavy People
The good news is there are lots of things that you can do to improve your sleep! Here are some of them:
1. Use a mattress specially designed for heavy people.
To reduce the risk of back pain, you need a supportive mattress that can keep your spine in proper alignment and help you sleep in a neutral position.
The heavier you are, the more support your mattress should have. Unfortunately, standard mattresses can't provide the level of support your body needs. That's why you need a mattress for heavy people as they deliver adequate support to keep heavy people's spines in proper alignment. To find out more about mattresses for large people, check out this guide from SleepStandards.
2. Use breathable bedding.
Night sweat is the most bothersome sleep disorder heavy people have to deal with. Fortunately, it can be easily addressed by choosing the right bedding. In addition to a supportive mattress, make sure to choose bedding made of breathable materials.
You should go for latex mattresses or waterbeds. If you find those to be a bit expensive, your next best choice is mattresses with gel infusion technology. Another option is to choose pillows and mattresses with bamboo covers.
3. Sleep on your side.
One of the most significant causes of sleep apnea is your sleeping position. Try to avoid sleeping on your back as much as possible.
If you're a back sleeper, try to switch to the side sleeping position to reduce the pressure on your chest. Sleep on your left side, preferably. This sleeping position is also beneficial for people with reflux disease and heartburn.
4. Elevate your head.
To minimize acid reflux, try elevating your head. You can do this by putting extra pillows under your head. A recommended intervention is to use pillows with adjustable height or contoured pillows.
If you have the money to spare, you can also use an adjustable bed frame, so you can elevate your head whenever you need to.
5. Use a humidifier.
When the air in your room is dry, it will be more difficult for you to breathe. Using a humidifier can improve air quality inside your bedroom as it can bring back moisture into the air so it may promote better breathing.
You can maximize your humidifier use by incorporating soothing and calming essential oils such as peppermint and lavender. These will not just open up your airways but also promote relaxation so you can sleep better.
The Bottom Line
When you're on the heavy side, you may encounter lots of sleep problems. The worst part is the lack of sleep puts you at high risk of experiencing severe medical conditions. That's why you need to address any sleep issues you have right away.
With the tips we've mentioned, you can improve your sleep quality, which is the first step to a healthier you!
