During the periods of sleep, the sleeping person engages in some strange behaviors that eventually turn into habits that are difficult to get rid of. The most prominent of these habits is sleeping under a cover that covers the entire body, including the head, as a way to reduce noise and light or to warm the body in cold weather. However, today we have a   Dalili Medical reason to warn about this behavior, which should be avoided due to the many and varied harms that we will discuss in detail in the next few lines.

**The best position for sleeping**

When you are in the early stages of life, your sleeping position can have a significant impact on your health. However, with age, the sleeping position can play an important role in reducing pain or even worsening it.

Here are the best sleeping positions according to your mood:

 

. **Fetal position** This is considered the most common position among people, especially women. In general, this sleep position is considered healthy, because of the following benefits:

- Allows the spine to rest in its normal position.

- Studies show that fetal height reduces the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

- Ideal for pregnant women, as it is preferable to sleep on the left side to improve blood flow to the fetus and reduce pressure on the liver.

- It is recommended to move the body a little, because the position of the fetus causes pressure on the lungs and diaphragm.

. **Sleeping position on the side** This position is considered one of the health options, as sleeping on the side while keeping the back straight can provide the following benefits:

It reduces the problem of sleep apnea and reduces neck and back pain. To improve this situation, it is recommended to put a soft pillow between one foot to reduce the pressure on the pelvic area.

** As the names suggest, this position means sleeping on the stomach with one hand under the pillow or next to the head. Unfortunately, this position is considered unhealthy, as it can cause pain in the back and neck.

To reduce neck pain, if you prefer to sleep in this position, it is better to use a soft pillow and not raise your neck excessively. It is also recommended to place a thin pillow under the forehead area, keeping the vertical direction down instead of sideways, so as to keep the air duct open.

**. Al-Jandi position** This position is represented by lying on the back with the hands beside the body. But, do you consider this position to be the best for sleeping?Unfortunately, this position leads to snoring, in addition to the possibility of causing problems related to the carotid artery, which leads to the brain and the upper respiratory tract.

The only benefit of this position is that it helps prevent stomach acid reflux.

If you prefer to sleep in this position and want compliments, it is recommended to place a small pillow under the knee area to support the spine and reduce the chances of back pain.

**Benefits of covering the head while sleeping**

 

Covering the head during sleep is one of the habits that have many benefits, including: enhancing sleep quality and increasing depth, providing comfort and relaxation, protecting hair and promoting growth, in addition to alleviating some problems such as sinus congestion, snoring, sleep apnea, headaches, and neck pain. Below is an explanation of these benefits:

**Reducing exposure to distractions** Covering the head helps to reduce the effect of ambient lights and sounds, which makes it easier for a person to fall asleep better.

** Speeding up and deepening sleep ** The contribution of covering the head in reducing the tossing and turning in the bed before going to sleep, as well as reducing the chances of waking up at night while preventing the brain from sending signals indicating that something is happening, which helps to sleep deeply and reduces frequent waking up during the night.

**Relaxation and psychological comfort** The effect of covering the head on creating an atmosphere of safety and calmness in some people, which contributes to relaxation and reducing anxiety and psychological stress, thus making it easier to feel sleepy and help sleep better. It should be noted that covering the head while sleeping contributes to enhancing these benefits.

**Reducing the risk of some respiratory diseases** It is believed that inhaling warm air can contribute to reducing the risk of upper respiratory infections, such as colds and flu.

**Alleviation of neck pain** It is believed that covering the head provides a suitable position for the neck, which protects it from stress and pain, and also provides warmth and comfort while reducing exposure to cold air.

**reducing the problem of snoring and stopping breathing during sleep** by preventing the flow of air to the nose and throat.

**Alleviation of sinus pain** This may help reduce congestion in the nasal cavity.

**Relief of headache** It is believed that the warmth produced by covering the head increases blood flow to the brain, which is considered useful in the treatment of headaches.

** Stimulating hair growth ** Covering the head while sleeping means providing warmth to the hair and scalp, which may increase the production of natural oils in the scalp, thus helping to stimulate hair growth.

**Harms of covering the head while sleeping**

Brain damage is not uncommon. Research indicates that covering the head while sleeping contributes to brain damage, as studies have shown that 23% of people who sleep with their heads under the covers are prone to dementia. Dementia is defined as a significant decline in mental abilities that affects daily life. It is believed that the reason behind that is that covering the head height limits the flow of air to the mouth and nose, which prevents the brain from getting a sufficient amount of oxygen necessary for its functions. When this happens for a long time, it leads to undesirable consequences.

In addition, the high level of pollutants in the air you breathe is an important factor. So when you cover your head with blankets or pillows, you are not inhaling clean or refreshing air, but creating a closed pocket of air under the covers, which leads to the lack of oxygen that the body and stomach need.

**Difficulty sleeping** Covering the head while sleeping negatively affects the quality of sleep, which leads to difficulties in sleeping or insomnia.Some people find it difficult to sleep when they feel hot or sweaty. Moreover, it may be difficult to sleep if the blankets or pillows above the head prevent healthy breathing. In some cases, covering the head during sleep can lead to the risk of suffocation in people who suffer from certain health conditions.

**Hazard of suffocation** Although covering the head while sleeping seems very comfortable, it carries certain risks. Among these risks is the risk of suffocation, especially for people who suffer from health conditions such as asthma, sleep apnea, or heart disease. Individuals suffering from these conditions, including some lung diseases, are more prone to suffocation when they cover their heads while sleeping.

Sleep apnea is a common problem that affects many people. Statistics show that 42 million Americans suffer from breathing disorders, and one in five people suffer from sleep apnea. Covering the head while sleeping increases the risk of suffocation in these individuals. Lack of vigilance in emergency situations can be dangerous. The last thing we want to face while sleeping is annoying noises or any kind of disturbance, but sometimes it is necessary to save your life. Covers with high attenuation reduce the effect of external influences, which may make you unable to hear some noises or notice strange smells. This may be a negative thing in emergency situations such as fires, thefts or other scenarios.