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How to Sleep With a Stiff Neck and Shoulder (6 Easy Steps For a Better Night’s Sleep)

Do you suffer from a stiff neck or shoulder? Do you struggle to fall asleep because of the pain that it is causing? Stiff necks and shoulders are a common pain amongst adults.

This makes sleeping almost impossible. It can be uncomfortable and can make the pain in your neck and shoulders even more unbearable.

However, there are ways in which you can better your night’s sleep and improve the posture in your neck and shoulders.

We think that it is time that you learn how to sleep with a stiff neck and shoulder.

In this article, we are going to explore some of the main reasons for why adults suffer from neck and shoulder pain, as well as provide you with 6 easy steps for a better night’s sleep.

Why Do I Always Have a Stiff Neck and Shoulder?

Have you ever wondered why you wake up every morning with a stiff neck and/or shoulder? Well, there are a number of different reasons as to why this might be. Waking up with a stiff neck or shoulder pain can ruin the rest of your day.

Below we have outlined some of the main reasons to why you may experience a stiff neck and shoulder pain:

• Sleeping in the wrong position

A lot of people have a go-to sleeping position. However, if your neck is twisted or bent in a certain way, this can cause a stiff neck.

• Using the wrong pillow

Pillows are another reason why adults suffer from stiff necks and shoulder problems. Some pillows are harder than others. Generally, there are different types of pillows based on whether you sleep on your front, back or side. Finding a good pillow can put you one step closer to easing your neck problems.

How to Sleep with a Stiff Neck and Shoulder Pain

There is nothing worse than wanting to sleep but your body is telling you otherwise. If you are experiencing pain or stiffness anywhere in your body, chances are your sleep that night is going to be affected.

However, there are things you can be doing yourself in order to improve your sleep whilst managing a stiff neck.

Below we have outlined 6 different, yet highly effective, ways in which you can help you sleep with a stiff neck and shoulder.

Bear in mind that everyone is different, and the below methods may or may not work for you. It is all about experimenting with the below suggestions to find one that works well for you!

1. Sleeping Without a Pillow

Sleeping without a pillow might be a good option for you if you are not using a supportive pillow. Lying flat on your bed can help to relieve the pressure on your neck and shoulders, making it feel more comfortable. This can prevent your neck from becoming stiff during the night.

Sleeping without a pillow comes highly recommended if you want a quick way of managing your neck pain and stiffness.

2. Selecting the Right Pillow

An alternative to the above is trying to select the correct pillow for you. This is easier said than done, but if you shop around, you should be able to find a pillow to cater to your body posture.

Memory foam pillows are great for improving body posture and reducing the risk of stiff necks. Memory foam is a great material as it allows for molding of your head and shoulders so that you are provided with the ultimate comfort.

If you have not changed your pillows for a long time, we highly recommend that your next pillow purchase is a memory foam one!

3. Replacing Feathered Pillows

Feathered pillows are another great way to reduce stiff necks and shoulder problems. However, the fluffiness of the feathers will deteriorate over time, and therefore you will need to ensure that they are regularly replaced in order to manage your body posture whilst asleep.

As soon as you start to experience soreness or stiffness in your neck and/or shoulders, then it is time to throw out your old pillows and replace them with new, fluffy ones!

4. Avoid Sleeping on Your Stomach

Some people prefer to fall asleep on their stomachs. That is okay, but it can cause somebody posture issues. Generally, when you sleep on your stomach, you have to twist your neck so that you are facing the side. This causes extreme tension on your whole body, including the spine.

Our advice is to try and sleep on your front or side. This will help to create the right posture and provide more comfort throughout the night.

5. Regularly Replace Your Mattress

Another thing to consider with regards to why you might be waking up with a sore neck is your mattress. Like pillows, mattresses need to be replaced regularly.

A mattress can be prolonged by flipping it over every time you change your bedding. This will help keep the mattress in its original state and avoid damaging the springs.

Of course, it is recommended that you replace your mattress after every 7-10 years. This will help to ensure that your body is comforted throughout the night.

6. Monitoring How Long You Sleep For

Generally, most adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night. If you are lying there for ages not falling asleep, this is going to impact your back, neck, and shoulders. Try to go to bed at the same time every night so that your body gets into a pattern of shutting down at a reasonable time.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways in which you can improve your sleep and reduce your neck and shoulder stiffness. As you get older, you are bound to be feeling aches and pains that you never use to. Of course, this could be down to aging (a depressing thought!) but it can be caused by other factors.

Whilst you cannot do anything about aging, you can do something about factors such as pillows, mattresses, sleeping positions, etc. We recommend that you monitor your sleeping pattern, and try out some of our steps to ensure your sleep is bettered.