How do you sleep at night?

Lying on your stomach or wriggling around in bed could be doing more damage than you think

- FAYE M SMITH

Often wake up stiff, but put it down to ageing? The position you sleep in could be causing you problems. ‘Proper alignment of the back is essential for sleep quality and avoiding back pain in the morning,’ says registered chiropractor Dr Andrea Coote (doctorgoodback.co.uk). ‘Sleep gives your back the opportunity to fully rest, but poor posture can lead to discomfort.’ Here’s how to stay safe while sleeping…

Never ‘bounce’ out of bed

For once, not feeling energetic in the morning may be a good thing. ‘Don’t leap out of bed first thing,’ says Dr Coote. ‘Draw your knees to your chest before getting out. To get up safely, turn onto your side, push up using your arms and allow your legs to naturally drop to the floor, then simply stand up. Once up, avoid doing anything sudden or strenuous until your back wakes up.’

If you’re… a side sleeper