It can be difficult to fall asleep when feeling stressed, leading to insomnia, joint pain and even sinus issues. How do we know if we’re doing it right? Sleep specialists have revealed that the very positions you lie in can either help or hinder stress levels, proving it pays to get it right.

With 39% of people reporting their sleep has got worse during the lockdown, and a monthly search volume of over 16,000 for tips on how to get to sleep, new research has revealed the best ways to relieve stress and fall asleep faster. Although most people might expect this solution to involve the use of kratom strains (available through the likes of Kona Kratom) or other sleeping aids, surprisingly, it may be as something as simple as being mindful of the position you lie in.

Luxury bedroom retailer The French Bedroom Company has worked with Wayne Ross, Senior Sleep Researcher at InsideBedroom to provide advice for the most searched for, stress-related sleep questions.

How to fix sleep schedule – 6,300 searches

It is advised that instigating a relaxing routine shortly before bedtime should help the brain understand and expect it at the same time each day. Yoga, meditation or deep breathing will also boost sleep time and quality. Avoid screen time, instead, drink Chamomile tea, and have a shower or bath an hour before bedtime.

How to sleep with anxiety – 3,850 searches

Yoga poses are world-renowned for their numerous health benefits, including the relief of stress and anxiety. Wayne explains that the seated forward bend (Paschimottanasana) is one of the best poses for this “Sit down with your legs out in front, stretch your arms towards your feet to try and hold them. Doing this pose calms the brain, helping relieve stress, along with physical benefits of stretching both the spine and hamstrings.”

How to relax for sleep – 2,600

Lying on your back with arms and legs stretched out is one of the best ways to de-stress the body. There are also people who choose to use marijuana products with help of accessories like those here to relax and fall asleep faster. It tends to take the pressure off your body and vital organs, allowing the muscles to relax, leaving the mind to free itself. When breathing allow the abdomen to rise and flatten in line with your breath, this should help you fall asleep without feeling the pressures of life.

Wayne recommends another effective way is to lie on your front with a pillow under your stomach. Many find the motion of this aids emotional security during stressful or mentally-taxing periods. This position will also reduce snoring and helps with sleep apnoea.

Worst positions to sleep in – 2,200

There are positions to avoid when we feel anxious or stressed. Wayne states that sleeping curled up or in a ball, which many like to do, is not advised as this makes muscles feel tense and doesn’t allow the body to fully switch off. Despite being the most popular position to sleep in, the foetal position can cause problems from curling up too much, leaving you feeling sore in the morning and not allowing the mind to clear. Sleeping for long periods on your front is also not advised as it puts extra strain on your neck and back.

How to sleep with muscle pain – 3,500 searches

Wayne explains that our bodies can often store stress that causes pain in our joints. For those struggling with hip pain, try lying on your side with a slight bend in your knees and a pillow positioned between your legs for support. Stress and tension are often held in our neck and head, causing aches and soreness. This can be especially important to consider for athletes or regular gym-goers, as soreness and muscle stress is definitely not going to help their cause. In such cases, making use of deep tissue massage guns could be one way to tackle the pain or soreness. Such devices can help relieve overworked muscles in order to reduce pain and discomfort, which could result in better sleep and not to mention, faster recovery time. However, it may be important to get some expert advice before using massage guns or massage therapy, whether you are an athlete or not.

For those concerned about the stress part, you can choose an anime body pillow or any pillow of your choice. Choose something that can make you happy, give you a big hug, and can help you relax and release stress. You can also sleep on your back with just one pillow under your head to support your neck so that it is not straining too high up. This will help to lengthen and relax the muscles.