Struggling to nod off? GP reveals NASA-inspired sleeping position


Struggling to nod off? GP reveals NASA-inspired sleeping position

UPDATED: 14:11 GMT, 18 January 2025 A sleeping position designed for astronauts could be the secret to banishing insomnia and getting longer-lasting rest, according to an NHS doctor. The technique called 'zero gravity' is designed by NASA and is thought to help astronauts get shut-eye while in an environment with an extreme amount of pressure. But down on earth the position can also help people get to sleep, according to Dr Tim Mercer, the NHS GP Partner and GP Trainer with Opera Beds. The technique involves lying on your back and elevating the head and legs to just above the heart level so the spine is in a relatively straight line. The head is raised slightly, with knees and elbows slightly bent. He explained that raising the head allows the airways to open up and take in more oxygen while you sleep. For this reason the sleeping position can help people with respiratory conditions, making it a good way of nodding off when you have a cold. 'Sleep is essential for recovery when battling the flu. Quality rest allows your body to allocate energy towards immune function, accelerating the fight against a virus,' Dr Mercer told the Express. 'During sleep, your body produces cytokines — proteins that combat inflammation and infection — making it an essential tool for recovery,' he added. The NASA sleeping position is also said to help improve blood circulation around the body, speeding up healing from injuries. That's because when standing or sitting leg veins have to work against gravity to move blood back to the heart. But elevating the legs allows blood to circulate easily because the body is working with gravity, rather than against it. What's more, the position takes pressure off muscles and joints, inducing relaxing feelings of weightlessness, which improves quality and quantity of sleep and reduces any painful sensations. Experts argue that these factors make you less likely to want to change position while sleeping, increasing the chances of a deep, long-lasting sleep.