There are habits we repeat every night thinking they are completely normal… until a doctor says they could be taking a toll on us without us realizing it.
One of them has to do with a very common sleeping position. You’ve probably seen it or even do it yourself: lying down with your arms bent and tucked against your chest, like a little T-Rex resting after a long day.
The problem is that, according to sleep specialist Raj Dasgupta, maintaining that position for hours can compress nerves in the arms, elbows, or wrists. That’s why some people wake up with tingling, numbness, or that feeling that one hand simply stopped working for a few seconds.
If it happens once in a while, it’s probably not serious. But when it happens every night or comes with pain and weakness, it could be a sign that the nerves are under more pressure than they should be.
That’s why experts recommend trying to sleep with your arms in a more relaxed and neutral position. Some people manage to avoid it by hugging a long pillow or placing a towel around the elbow to keep it from bending too much during the night. It may sound strange, but your hands will probably thank you when you wake up.