Doctor Sleep - How to Properly Sleep

When Mike Flanagan took the helm of Doctor Sleep, the sequel to his own novel and the 1980 Stanley Kubrick film of The Shining, he had an impossible mandate.

The movie must be faithful to its adapted source material while also acknowledging the shadow cast over it by the cinematic precedent. It’s a tall order, but one that Flanagan rises to admirably, especially in the opening act.

Sleeping Positions

For many people, the most comfortable sleep position is flat on their back, but that’s not necessarily the healthiest option. A neutral spine posture that promotes healthy spinal alignment from hips to head is best, which requires adequate support from your mattress and pillows.

Back sleeping can also cause soreness in the back and neck, especially if you sleep on a soft or worn out mattress. It also makes you more likely to snore and can exacerbate sleep apnea. If you do choose to sleep on your back, try placing a pillow under your knees to support the natural curve of your spine and relieve lumbar strain.

Another common sleep position is side sleeping, with your legs straight out and a pillow between them to support the curve of your spine. This is considered a healthier option than stomach sleep, as it can help reduce acid reflux and may be beneficial for snorers and those with obstructive sleep apnea. However, it isn’t ideal for pregnant women, as it decreases blood flow to the heart and baby.

Some people like to switch up their sleep positions, combining elements of the side and back positions with the fetal position. This is often referred to as freefall sleep, soldier sleep, log sleep or yearner sleep and can be helpful for those who suffer from acid reflux or have snoring issues.

Stomach sleeping, on the other hand, isn’t a good choice for anyone. This position can cause a pins-and-needles sensation, decrease blood flow to the arms and legs, and lead to achy muscles and joints. It can also irritate your digestive tract and cause indigestion, not to mention make you more likely to wake up during the night.

Finding the right sleep position may take a little trial and error, but it’s worth the effort to get a better night’s rest. A comfortable mattress, practicing relaxation techniques, optimizing your bedroom for sleep and avoiding blue light close to bedtime can all improve your sleeping experience, regardless of what position you prefer to sleep in. And don’t worry if you can’t adopt a new position immediately — it takes about two weeks to form a habit.

Side Sleeping

If you're a side sleeper, it's important to have good posture during the night. This will help prevent back pain and keep your airway open. This position can also reduce snoring and sleep apnea, which are both linked to heart disease. Ideally, you should try to sleep in this position every night. However, if you can't, it's fine to alternate sides throughout the night.

Unlike the back sleeping position, which can cause back pain, side sleeping allows your body to spread out in a more natural way and puts less pressure on your spine. In addition, sleeping on your side can also improve your circulation and may even lower blood pressure. This position is particularly effective for those who suffer from lower back pain.

In addition to reducing the risk of back pain, snoring and heart disease, side sleeping can help with neck and shoulder pain, as well as increase your energy levels during the day. If you have trouble sleeping in the side position, it's a good idea to try stacking pillows under your head or sleeping with a body pillow to raise your hips and relieve pressure on your shoulders. You can also try sewing a tennis ball into your pajama top or sleeping with a rolled up towel under your neck to prevent the mattress from pushing against your arms.

While the film occasionally stumbles, flaunting its long running time and a few slow-paced sequences, it ultimately succeeds in striking a balance between poignant themes and spine-chilling scares. It's a rarity that a Stephen King adaptation can be both, but Mike Flanagan pulls it off with aplomb.

The film catches up with Danny Torrance years after he and his father left the Overlook Hotel, terrorized by ghosts and a demon. A recovering alcoholic, Danny now works at the Overlook's hospice and is frequently visited by the ghost of his dead wife, Jack.

Despite the debt that Doctor Sleep owes to Kubrick, it never feels like a mere homage, as Flanagan always makes sure that the film has its own distinct voice. The film's stunning compositions are especially impressive, as the camera captures breathtaking views of the American wilderness: a lonely road amid corn fields, a campfire on a dark beach, and a predator lurking by the edge of a lake.

Fetal Position

When a person sleeps in the fetal position, they are essentially curled up into a ball. This is the most common sleeping position in adults, with over 60% of people spending their nights in this position. This position is particularly useful for pregnant women, as it allows the baby to drop into the best position for birth.

Babies twist, stretch and tumble a lot in the womb, but they usually settle into a head-first position shortly before labor starts. This is called fetal presentation, or cephalic presentation, and it's the ideal way for a baby to come into the world. If a baby doesn't settle into this position, or if they start in an awkward position, it can make the labor and delivery process more difficult and increase the risk of complications.

In the weeks and days leading up to your due date, doctors can use a variety of techniques to try to encourage the baby into this position. If they don't get the baby into this position, your doctor might recommend a C-section as soon as your water breaks.

Fetal positions can be divided into several categories, including face, brow and transverse. A baby in a fetal face or brow position has its chin tucked into its chest and its legs and arms drawn into it. This is the most common fetal position and is a good position for the baby during labor and delivery.

A breech baby has its feet and hands pointing down toward the birth canal. This is a dangerous fetal position because the baby's head can compress the umbilical cord during a vaginal delivery, cutting off its blood supply. A breech baby is also more likely to need a C-section than an upright, or vertex, baby.

A baby in a breech position is also referred to as a sunny-side-up, or back-to-back, baby. In this position, the baby's buttocks point down and its feet enter the birth canal first. This is also a dangerous fetal position because the head might pass through the cervix before the buttocks, injuring the baby.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleeping is not uncommon, and people often say that it is the only way they can sleep. Some also report snoring, back pain, and acid reflux issues. Stomach sleepers tend to be at a higher risk for sleep apnea because the position can cause your throat muscles to become weakened and narrow, which obstructs breathing and causes pauses in sleep.

Sleeping on the stomach can also increase pressure on the spine, and it can twist the neck and back. Over time, spinal stress can compress muscles, ligaments, tendons, and vertebrae in the spine and neck. This can lead to stiff and sore necks, and it can also cause the spinal discs to degenerate more quickly.

The good news is that you can train yourself to sleep in a different position, even if you have been sleeping on your stomach for years. It will take patience and some help from pillows, but it is possible to make a change.

A good place to start is by trying to get into the habit of sleeping on your back or side. You can use a body pillow to help you stay in this position throughout the night, and this is especially helpful if you are pregnant. You can find a wide range of body pillows on the market, including some specifically designed for stomach sleepers that are long and cylindrical in shape.

Another way to try to sleep in a new position is by doing some gentle stretches in the morning, which can help align the spine and release tension. You can also use a mattress that provides proper support for your spine and neck, and you can make some lifestyle changes to improve your overall health, such as losing weight and avoiding alcohol before bedtime. However, if you are not getting restful sleep, it is important to talk to your doctor to see if there is an underlying problem that may be contributing to the issue. For instance, sleep apnea is a condition that can affect all types of sleepers and it can have many different causes, so simply switching sleep positions may not be enough to alleviate your symptoms.