This Sleeping Position Is Slowly Killing You After 60  – 5 Dangerous Sleep Habits - video Dailymotion

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UNITED STATES This Sleeping Position Is Slowly Killing You After 60  – 5 Dangerous Sleep Habits "Elderly Insight" brings you essential tips and advice for seniors to lead a fulfilling and happy life.  We also provide insightful stories and motivational quotes from famous people and authors. We carefully research and analyze each story to provide meaningful, thought-provoking insights that can help improve your life. Join us on this journey to rediscover the wisdom of the past and apply it to modern living. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more life-changing insights!  life after 70,wisdom,older man,older woman,wise elders,life lessons from the elderly,Sayings,older adults,life lessons,70 years old,senior health,wise elder,stoicism,after 60,if you are 70-80 years old,wise advice from elders,motivation,active elderly,wise advice,inspiration,life lessons from old man,after 70 it doesn't matter,after 70,over 70,at 70,Advice From Old People,quotes,sayings,elderly,old age,advice for the elderly This video is about essential tips and advice for seniors in the United States. UNITED STATES

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00:00do you know the way you sleep could be slowly harming your body without you even realizing it

00:09as we get older sleep becomes more precious yet strangely more fragile we might wake up feeling

00:14stiff sore or strangely exhausted almost like the night didn't do its job and while we're quick to

00:20blame aging or a bad mattress the real culprit might be something far simpler and more overlooked

00:26the position you sleep in something as routine as how you place your body in bed could be quietly

00:32affecting your health one night at a time in this video we're going to uncover five common sleeping

00:37positions that are especially risky for seniors some might seem innocent even comforting but for

00:43those of us over 60 they can lead to serious issues reduce blood flow nerve compression breathing

00:50problems and long-term strain on vital organs the scary part is these positions don't always

00:56cause immediate pain instead they chip away at your well-being slowly and silently night after

01:02night so stay with us because you're about to learn how simple adjustments like avoiding a certain angle

01:08of your neck or changing where you place your arms could protect your circulation support your breathing

01:14and even reduce the risk of stroke or heart issues these aren't dramatic lifestyle overhauls these are

01:20quiet but powerful shifts that make a difference over time now let's get started number one the flat

01:25back position with arms at sides at first glance lying flat on your back with your arms at your

01:31sides might seem like the most natural neutral position after all it's how we're positioned during sleep

01:37studies and how many mattresses are designed but here's what most people don't realize especially

01:43seniors this position while aligned on the surface can quietly work against your circulation airway and

01:49heart health when your body no longer rebounds the way it once did when you sleep flat on your back with

01:54arms straight down gravity does something subtle but powerful it draws your tongue backward especially

02:00during deeper stages of sleep this can partially obstruct your airway making it harder for oxygen to

02:06flow freely for older adults who may already have a slight decline in respiratory strength or are

02:12unknowingly developing sleep apnea this position can compound the problem reduced oxygen during sleep

02:18doesn't just leave you tired over time it taxes your heart weakens your brain and can even raise blood

02:24pressure and for the spine sleeping perfectly flat with no pillow support under the knees can place

02:30pressure on the lower back flattening its natural curve that tension may not be felt immediately but it

02:36builds over time leading to stiffness nerve pain and reduced mobility during the day if you've ever woken up with a

02:44dull ache in your lower back that fades as you move around this may be the hidden reason why now let's talk

02:50about something psychological that often goes unnoticed this sleep posture while appearing peaceful actually

02:56mimics the posture of inactivity and stillness for many older adults especially those who live alone or face

03:02emotional isolation this position can subtly reinforce feelings of vulnerability your body is fully exposed limbs

03:10close eyes up it's the very image of defenselessness while it may seem symbolic research and sleep

03:16psychology shows that posture affects the way the brain processes nighttime anxiety and nighttime waking

03:22seniors who regularly sleep flat on their backs with no protective barriers like a pillow between the knees

03:28or a supportive bolster often report feeling more restless unsettled or more prone to midnight panic episodes

03:35one man 74 year old henry from arizona spent years sleeping this way because he thought it was the

03:41healthiest position he was always disciplined eating right walking daily but couldn't figure out why he

03:48woke up drained after his doctor suggested a sleep study they found he had mild oxygen desaturation

03:54episodes throughout the night it wasn't sleep apnea in the traditional sense just the angle of his airway when

04:00lying flat simply elevating his head by 10 degrees and placing a small pillow under his knees made a

04:06massive difference within weeks his blood pressure stabilized his energy levels improved and he even

04:12began remembering his dreams again something he hadn't done in years so while lying flat with arms at your

04:19sides may seem safe it's quietly placing strain on critical systems you need to protect in your later years

04:25your heart your breath your back and even your mind it's not about making dramatic changes or tossing

04:31out your mattress it's about learning what your body is telling you and honoring those small signals

04:36with small shifts in the end the most powerful adjustments are often the simplest number two the

04:42fetal position curl too tight you might be surprised to hear this but curling up too tightly in the fetal

04:47position can quietly sabotage your breathing circulation and even emotional balance especially as you get older

04:54many seniors instinctively curl up at night knees drawn to the chest arms tucked in back rounded just

05:01like we did as babies it's a position that feels cozy familiar and secure but when this natural instinct

05:08turns into an overly tight posture it can have unintended consequences when you sleep with your knees

05:17pulled tightly to your chest and your chin tucked down you compress your chest cavity that might not

05:23seem like a big deal at first but over several hours it limits your lungs ability to fully expand and

05:29for someone in their 60s or 70s whose lung capacity is already reduced compared to youth this can further

05:35restrict the oxygen your body gets during critical periods of rest and repair this breathing limitation

05:41isn't just about oxygen it can affect your heart rhythm your brain's ability to detoxify during sleep

05:48and even your energy levels the next day people who sleep too tightly curled often report grogginess

05:53a foggy head and feelings of anxiety that don't quite make sense that's not just in their head it's the

06:00result of shallow sleep caused by shallow breath then there's the issue of posture memory your body

06:06especially in older age adapts to the positions you spend the most time in if you spend six to eight hours

06:13every night curled tightly in a ball your spine starts to remember that shape your neck becomes

06:19more forward leaning your back rounds your chest caves inward over time this can contribute to a

06:24condition called kyphosis or a hunched upper back which is common in elderly adults it doesn't just

06:30affect how you look it affects balance digestion lung function and even self-confidence let me share the

06:37story of shirley a 78 year old woman from michigan after her husband passed away she found herself

06:43sleeping in an increasingly tight fetal position she didn't think much of it until she began waking

06:49up with chest tightness neck pain and a strange feeling of heaviness she couldn't explain her doctor

06:55couldn't find anything wrong physically but a physical therapist noticed her posture and sleeping habits

07:01they gently helped to reposition her sleep encouraging her to loosen her curl keep her knees lower and open

07:07her chest slightly with a body pillow within weeks her morning anxiety faded and she even said she felt

07:12lighter both physically and emotionally so if you're in the habit of curling up tight at night

07:18take a moment to notice how your body feels when you wake up are your shoulders stiff is your neck sore does

07:24your chest feel tight these little signs are your body's way of whispering i need more room to breathe

07:30you don't have to sleep stiff like a soldier just soften the curve allow your knees to drift down

07:36let your arms relax you're not retreating from life you're resting so you can rise strong in it if

07:42you're still watching this video and finding these insights valuable please comment number two below

07:47to let me know you're here and if you haven't subscribed yet i recommend you subscribe and turn

07:53on the bell so you don't miss any videos your support helps us continue creating good content

07:58to inform and inspire you now let's move forward number three sleeping on your stomach sleeping on your

08:04stomach may seem harmless some even find it comforting but for seniors this position can

08:10quietly trigger a cascade of physical strain that builds up night after night and the truth is the

08:16older we get the less forgiving our bodies become to this kind of repeated pressure let's start with

08:22the spine when you lie on your stomach your lower back naturally arches upward because your hips and

08:28abdomen sink into the mattress that exaggerated curve in your lumbar spine isn't just uncomfortable

08:34it puts constant tension on the muscles and ligaments surrounding your vertebrae for people over 60 who

08:39often already struggle with some degree of arthritis or degenerative disc issues this added strain can

08:45worsen existing pain or even create new areas of discomfort that didn't exist before but it's not just your back that

08:52suffers think about where your head has to go when you're sleeping on your belly you can't breathe face

08:57down into the pillow so your neck has to twist sharply to one side often for hours at a time that unnatural

09:04rotation can tighten the muscles in your neck and shoulders and reduce blood flow to the brain over

09:09time this position can also compress cervical nerves which may explain why some seniors wake up with tingling arms

09:16stiff necks or headaches that seem to come out of nowhere take the story of richard a 72 year old

09:21retired firefighter from new york he'd been a lifelong stomach sleeper and never thought much of it but

09:27over time he developed nagging back pain and morning headaches that no doctor could quite explain after a

09:33sleep therapist asked him about his position he decided to experiment with the help of a wedge pillow and

09:38a side sleeping setup he gradually trained himself out of stomach sleeping within weeks the headaches

09:44stopped within a month his back felt stronger he told his therapist i didn't know how much pressure

09:50i was putting on myself until i finally lifted it if you've been sleeping on your stomach for decades

09:55changing might feel unnatural at first but your body will thank you use a supportive side pillow to

10:01prevent rolling or place a firm pillow under your hips if you're transitioning slowly it's not about

10:06perfection it's about progress small adjustments lead to better mornings clearer heads and stronger more

10:13balanced bodies as we age number four sleeping in a reclined sitting position a surprising number of

10:19seniors especially those struggling with back pain or breathing issues find themselves sleeping in a

10:25recliner or propped up in bed with multiple pillows it feels like a compromise something between sitting

10:31and lying down and while it might bring temporary relief this reclined sitting position can quietly chip away

10:38at your physical health in ways most people never see coming let's talk about the posture first when

10:44you sleep in a semi sitting position your spine is not in a natural alignment your head tends to fall

10:49forward or tilt to one side especially if the neck isn't fully supported over time this can shorten

10:54the muscles in your neck and shoulders leading to chronic stiffness limited mobility and even tension

11:00headaches and when your upper body curls forward even slightly it puts pressure on the chest and

11:06diaphragm which restricts deep breathing that reduced oxygen intake can cause poor sleep quality

11:13mental fog and even cardiovascular strain over time now think about your lower body in a reclined

11:19position your hips remain partially flexed and your knees are often bent for hours this creates a

11:25condition similar to being in a seated position all night blood circulation becomes compromised especially in

11:32the legs that's why people who sleep like this often wake up with swollen ankles leg cramps or even the

11:38beginnings of varicose veins for seniors reduced circulation is more than just uncomfortable it can

11:44be dangerous increasing the risk of clot formation or contributing to numbness and weakness in the limbs but

11:51there's something even more subtle happening here the body begins to accept poor posture as normal if your muscle

11:57spends six to eight hours every night reinforcing a seated curve where your shoulders are forward and

12:04your spine is compressed that posture will start to follow you into your daytime life before you know it

12:10you're not just sleeping curled up you're standing walking and sitting with the same posture this increases

12:17the risk of falls back issues and overall fatigue psychologically this sleep position can also impact your sense of rest and restoration

12:25recliner sleeping doesn't allow the full muscle relaxation that lying flat does your body remains

12:31slightly engaged in a kind of standby mode it's like trying to charge your phone while it's still running

12:36a bunch of apps you never get a full charge that's why many seniors who sleep in chairs often say i slept but i

12:43didn't rest the difference may sound small but over weeks or months it can affect energy mood and memory take for

12:50example gary a 74 year old veteran from oregon after developing acid reflux he began sleeping in

12:57his recliner most nights at first it helped his symptoms but then he started noticing numbness in his hands and

13:03his neck was always sore in the morning his doctor suggested he elevate the head of his bed instead of sleeping

13:09upright so gary invested in an adjustable bed in support of wedge pillows that small change allowed him to sleep at an incline

13:16without sacrificing spinal alignment within two weeks his symptoms improved and he finally felt rested

13:22again it's important to recognize that while reclined sleeping might seem like a short-term fix

13:28it often becomes a long-term trap the body adapts to the position but not in a healthy way if you need

13:35to sleep with your upper body elevated for health reasons make sure it's done with proper alignment

13:40using supportive tools that respect your spine's natural curves avoid slouching or letting your head droop

13:45it's not about sleeping like a soldier it's about giving your body the right shape to restore itself

13:50fully if you're still watching this video and finding these insights valuable please comment number four

13:57below to let me know you're here and if you haven't subscribed yet i recommend you subscribe and turn on

14:03the bell so you don't miss any videos your support helps us continue creating good content to inform and

14:09inspire you now let's move forward number five sleeping face down sleeping on your stomach might seem

14:15harmless or even comfortable for some but for seniors it can be one of the most damaging positions for

14:21long-term health especially when it becomes a nightly habit while younger bodies can often adapt

14:26older adults may find that this position slowly causes strain misalignment and hidden harm that

14:32accumulates night after night first let's consider what happens to the neck in order to breathe while

14:37lying face down you have to twist your head to one side for hours at a time that puts enormous

14:43pressure on the cervical spine especially between the c1 and c4 vertebrae over time this can lead to

14:49nerve compression limited neck mobility or even chronic vertigo many seniors who sleep on their

14:55stomach wake up with dizziness neck pain or a sensation of tightness in the jaw or shoulders without

15:02realizing where it's coming from but the issues don't stop at the neck sleeping on your stomach flattens the

15:08natural curve of your spine your lower back sinks downward placing continuous pressure on the

15:13lumbar region this can cause subtle spinal misalignment which may not show up immediately

15:19but often leads to stiffness inflammation and disc issues later on for older adults who already have

15:25osteoarthritis or spinal degeneration this position can make symptoms worse or accelerate joint breakdown

15:32another concern that many don't think about is organ compression when you lie on your stomach

15:37your chest and abdomen are pressed down against the mattress this restricts natural lung expansion

15:42and can reduce oxygen intake during sleep you may not notice it consciously but your body takes in

15:48shallow breaths throughout the night reduced oxygen affects how well your brain and muscles recover

15:53and it may explain why some people feel groggy or mentally foggy after a full night's sleep in this

15:58position stomach sleeping can also impact digestion pressing your stomach against a firm surface for hours can

16:05disturb the natural flow of digestion and even worsen issues like acid reflux or bloating when digestion

16:11slows you might wake up feeling heavy or uncomfortable not just in your belly but throughout your entire body

16:17one small pressure point can have ripple effects on how you feel throughout the day psychologically

16:22sleeping in a face down position may also be associated with a defensive or withdrawn state

16:27in sleep research this position is sometimes linked with heightened tension in the body

16:31especially in people who struggle with anxiety or emotional overwhelm it's almost as if the body is

16:37curling into itself for protection while this doesn't apply to everyone many seniors find that

16:42shifting to a more open position like side sleeping with proper support helps them feel more emotionally

16:49balanced and physically refreshed in the morning take linda a 71 year old from minnesota who had always been

16:55a stomach sleeper since her 20s in recent years she started waking up with severe back aches and headaches

17:01her physical therapist suggested she try a transition to side sleeping using a body pillow for support

17:07at first she resisted it felt unnatural but within a month she noticed her sleep was deeper her mood better

17:13and her pain significantly reduced sometimes changing a lifelong habit feels like an uphill battle

17:19but in her case it was the key to waking up feeling whole again the bottom line is the stomach sleeping

17:25might seem innocent but for seniors it's often a silent saboteur it compresses the spine restricts

17:32the breath and limits the body's ability to heal if you're used to sleeping this way consider slowly

17:38retraining yourself start by using pillows to support side sleeping or even slightly elevated back sleeping if

17:45that's more comfortable what matters most is giving your body a chance to fully restore each night

17:50without pressure points twisted joints or blocked airways changing how you sleep may not feel urgent

17:56but it can quietly shape how you age how you heal and how well you meet each new day and for seniors

18:03that kind of change can mean everything number six unsupported back sleeping lying flat on your back might

18:08sound like the most neutral even natural position and in many ways it can be if it's done right

18:15but for seniors who sleep on their backs without proper support this seemingly harmless position can

18:20slowly trigger a cascade of health issues that grow worse with time often without any obvious signs

18:27in the beginning when you're young your spine is more flexible and your muscles are strong enough

18:33to support the natural curves of your body even on a flat surface but as we age our muscle tone changes

18:39the lumbar curve in your lower back tends to flatten out and your hips may tilt slightly forward

18:45if you lie flat without lumbar support the spine isn't held in its ideal position and gravity begins

18:51to pull your pelvis downward while your lower back arches unnaturally upward this creates subtle tension

18:57through the lower spine that may not wake you during the night but certainly accumulates into tightness and

19:03stiffness in the morning in fact one of the most common complaints among older adults who sleep on their backs

19:08is waking up with tight hamstrings aching lower backs or even hip discomfort that seems to come

19:14out of nowhere but it isn't random it's often the direct result of sleeping in a way that leaves the

19:20spine and pelvis floating without support another major concern is sleep apnea for many seniors back

19:26sleeping increases the risk of airway obstruction when you lie flat on your back your tongue can fall backward

19:32toward your throat partially blocking the airway and causing snoring disrupted breathing or even

19:38prolonged pauses in breathing even mild apnea can lower oxygen levels and rob your brain of the deep

19:45sleep it needs to clear out waste consolidate memory and repair cells over time this has been linked to

19:51cognitive decline and reduced heart health but the problem doesn't end there unsupported back sleeping

19:57can also worsen acid reflux without a slight incline or pillow support under the head and upper back

20:03stomach acid can more easily travel upward into the esophagus especially if you've eaten a late meal

20:10that burning sensation or coughing fit at 2am might not be indigestion alone it might be your sleeping

20:17position aggravating an already sensitive digestive system psychologically this position can be a double-edged

20:23sword while some people feel completely at ease on their backs others experience vulnerability or

20:28restlessness particularly if they're alone or dealing with anxiety lying flat with nothing supporting your

20:34body can feel like being exposed both physically and emotionally for some this can contribute to

20:40shallow breathing difficulty falling asleep or even nighttime panic take george a 76 year old retired

20:47school principal from indiana he never thought twice about sleeping flat on his back until his

20:52chiropractor pointed out his worsening lumbar stiffness and chronic fatigue after switching

20:58to a wedge pillow and placing a small pillow under his knees he noticed an immediate difference his back

21:03no longer ached in the morning his breathing felt deeper and he actually stayed asleep longer it wasn't

21:09about changing the position itself it was about supporting his body better within it if you're someone who

21:15prefers sleeping on your back don't worry you don't have to give it up but it's important to support your

21:21natural curves use a pillow that elevates your head slightly to prevent snoring and reflux and place a small

21:28cushion under your knees to maintain the natural shape of your spine these tiny changes can make a world of

21:34difference and if you're still watching this video and finding these insights valuable please comment number six below

21:40to let me know you're here and if you haven't subscribed yet i recommend you subscribe and turn

21:46on the bell so you don't miss any videos your support helps us continue creating good content to inform and

21:52inspire you now let's move forward final thoughts by now you might be realizing that sleep isn't just about

21:58getting enough hours it's about how we spend those hours the position you settle into night after night might

22:04seem harmless or even comforting but for many older adults it's doing more damage than they realize

22:11each position we cover today whether it's fetal curling prone sleeping elevated neck tilting twisted

22:18posture or unsupported back sleeping has its own unique way of putting stress on your body restricting

22:24circulation interfering with breathing or quietly worsening issues like joint pain and digestion

22:31but here's the good news you're not stuck with these habits awareness is the first step toward

22:35change and the fact that you watch this far means you care about your health your longevity and your

22:41quality of life that matters because even small shifts like using a knee pillow adjusting your mattress

22:48firmness or simply being mindful of your position can lead to huge improvements over time so tonight when you

22:55lay down take a moment to check in with your body are you fully supported are your joints relaxed

23:00and aligned can you breathe easily ask yourself those questions not out of fear but out of self-care

23:07because the way you sleep isn't just a habit it's a choice a daily opportunity to nurture your body

23:13restore your energy and protect your future thank you for joining us today we'd love to hear from you

23:19leave a comment below and share one thing you learned today and how you plan to use it in your life

23:24your thoughts are important to us so don't hesitate to share them reading your comments gives us great

23:29motivation and encouragement if you enjoyed this video and found it helpful please like subscribe and

23:35share your support helps us continue creating good content to inform and inspire you thanks for

23:41for watching and we look forward to seeing you in the next video

This Sleeping Position Is Slowly Killing You After 60 – 5 Dangerous Sleep Habits

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