Side, back or stomach? How sleep positions affect you

A good night's sleep is an important key to good health because experts say the quality of sleep can affect a person's hormone levels, mood and weight.

For some sleepers, though, falling asleep and staying asleep can be difficult, and a person's preferred sleep position can play a role.

Sleep experts say a person's sleep position — on a side, back or stomach — can be linked to back pain issues, snoring or how often a person wakes up.

Experts with WebMD say people who sleep on their stomachs are more likely to experience restlessness ,tossing and turning. The position can put greater strain on a person's neck and lower back.

Using a softer, flatter pillow, or no pillow at all, can help alleviate some of those problems for stomach sleepers.

Other people prefer to spend their bed time sleeping on their backs. But back sleepers are more prone to lower back pain, experts say.

A thicker pillow can force the chin downward and make snoring or sleep apnea issues worse.

Most side sleepers are more comfortable with their knees slightly or even tightly bent toward their chests. Experts say women are twice as likely to sleep curled up than men.

For side sleepers, proper pillow support can help prevent neck pain, and placing a pillow between the knees can take can pressure off a person's hips and back.

With all sleep positions, though, choosing the right mattress and pillow support are key to getting a good night's sleep.

Sleep specialists say pregnant women should sleep on their sides because it's healthier for mothers and their babies. It can actually help bring more blood and nutrients to the baby.

Mattresses can also help a person sleep better, but experts say picking the best one has a lot to do with personal preference. A mattress should be firm enough to support your back and sleep position but soft enough to fit the shape of your body, experts say.

Some stores let people test a mattress for several weeks before buying it outright, and testers can change it out if it doesn't work for them.