Sleeping ergonomically
Everyone is convinced good ergonomics are important for the quality of sleep, enabling us to start and get through the day with a well-rested body and mind. But what does sleeping ergonomically actually mean?
Sleeping ergonomically from our collection
The role of the spine or backbone
The spine or backbone plays a number of roles in our body.
- Firstly, it has a protective role: the spine encloses the nerves and the spinal cord.
- The spine also has a stabilising and supporting role: it provides a strong base on which all other body parts are attached.
- But at the same time it must ensure that we can move without problems, hence its dynamic function.
Sleep without neck and back pain
When looking for a proper ergonomic sleep system, you need to take into account a number of factors:
- Your body shape
- Your weight
- Sleep position
- Any back and neck problems
Back or side sleeper?
A sponge can rehydrate optimally if you push it into a bucket of water without putting any pressure on it. The same applies to the intervertebral discs: if they are not under pressure while you sleep, they rehydrate optimally.
To achieve this, the spine must lie in a straight line when you’re on your side and in an S-shape when you’re on your back. The sleep system must also take over the supporting function of the muscles as they relax during sleep.
The importance of sleeping ergonomically
Have you ever had back problems? Then you surely know how important a painless back is. The spine is made up of spinal vertebrae and intervertebral discs. The vertebrae guarantee the stability of the back. The intervertebral discs are the shock absorbers of the back, and also allow us to move easily.
During the day, our intervertebral discs are constantly subjected to gravity. These discs consist of a shell with a gel-like substance inside. You could compare the intervertebral discs with a sponge filled with water. During the day, it is squeezed out by the pressure, and at night it has to absorb moisture again. That is why we are up to 1.5 cm taller in the morning than in the evening.
Do you want good support? You need a good bed and good advice!
Our protruding shoulders, which do not weigh much because the lungs are right there, should be able to collapse easily. The waist should be well supported, and the pelvis, which does weigh a lot because of the large amount of bone tissue, should go slightly inwards, but not too much. Otherwise you risk low back pain.
A good sleep system does not only consist of a good mattress and base. Your pillow is also important. At De Nachtwacht we have a range of ergonomic pillows you can try out.
Thanks to the continuous training of our suppliers, years of experience and an objective comparison of the best brands, we will help you find the best solution. Dreaming of waking up well-rested, without back or neck problems? Come to our shop in Kortrijk and ask our experts for advice or request more information online.