{"id":13183,"date":"2026-07-17T16:33:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T16:33:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/?p=13183"},"modified":"2026-07-17T16:42:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T16:42:46","slug":"abc-method-for-better-sleep-and-better-brain-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/abc-method-for-better-sleep-and-better-brain-health\/","title":{"rendered":"ABC Method for Better Sleep and Better Brain Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1554072745.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13184 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1554072745-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1554072745-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1554072745-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1554072745-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1554072745-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1554072745-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-1554072745-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>We all have nights when we can\u2019t get a good night\u2019s sleep. We toss and turn all night, waking up exhausted because of poor <\/span>sleep <span data-contrast=\"auto\">quality. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you are experiencing poor sleep quality, the\u00a0ABC\u00a0method\u00a0or ABCs of respiratory\u00a0therapy\u00a0can help you sleep properly and efficiently. The ABC method\u00a0stands for:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Airway<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Breathing<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Circulation<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This method helps regulate a\u00a0variety of things, primarily oxygenation, which helps your body recover and stay functioning.\u00a0Finding the right sleep position is essential to the ABC method.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">According to Dr. John Saito, a representative for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), everyone has their own idea of what a\u00a0good sleep position is, whether it is on the left or right side, the back, or stomach, but it all depends on the context.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If a person is sleeping on their back and has a good support pillow that keeps their spine and neck in a neutral position, it allows their airway to remain\u00a0open and unobstructed, and they can breathe easily. However, if a person has sleep apnea,\u00a0sleeping on their back can be harmful to health, as their throat muscles become too relaxed and block the body\u2019s upper airway.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The ABC method can also work with babies, as most doctors recommend putting them on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is an unexplained death that usually occurs during sleep.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr. Saito suggests that sleeping on your side can\u00a0offer several\u00a0benefits.\u00a0Sleeping on your right side may be better for blood flow, as well as lower pressure on your heart, due to the flexible compartment\u00a0located\u00a0between your lungs\u00a0called the mediastinum,\u00a0which\u00a0helps hold your heart in place.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sleeping on your left side can\u00a0also provide some benefits, as it may be better for clearing the waste product in the brain. This is known as\u00a0the glymphatic system, which is the brain\u2019s specialized waste clearance network that clears any harmful metabolic byproducts\u00a0while we sleep, including\u00a0proteins linked to Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lastly, Dr. Saito points out the difference between sleeping in a fetal or curled position and spreading out. Sleeping on either side of your body, with your spine straight, helps keep it aligned, while curling up on your side helps to ease lower back pain. However, being too curled up can compress your diaphragm and chest, which restricts breathing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Having\u00a0trouble sleeping\u00a0because you\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0find a comfortable sleeping\u00a0position\u00a0can cause you\u00a0to\u00a0move\u00a0a lot throughout\u00a0the night\u00a0as you try to\u00a0reposition\u00a0yourself. This\u00a0can disrupt your sleep\u00a0and affect the quality of your sleep. Here are ways to practice sleeping in better positions\u00a0to help you get a restful night\u2019s sleep:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u00a0sleep on your\u00a0side, place a pillow between your knees to help better align your head, neck, and hips.\u00a0This neutral posture can make breathing easier and result in deeper and more restorative sleep<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u00a0sleep on your\u00a0back, place a pillow under your knees<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u00a0sleep on your stomach, place a thin pillow under your hips<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Additionally, choosing a mattress that adheres to the natural curve of your spine is an essential\u00a0part of\u00a0getting a good night\u2019s sleep.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There isn\u2019t just one best position to sleep in. A lot of factors go into how your sleep position affects your quality of sleep. Whether you suffer from sleep apnea, back pain, are a chronic snorer, or are pregnant, the major goal is to find a comfortable and unobtrusive sleeping position that allows you to get a good night\u2019s sleep. Choose whichever sleep position that makes you the most comfortable, as it will give you the best and most rest.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our New York Sleep Clinic staff consists of board-certified sleep specialists and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/clinical-services\/respiratory-care\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">respiratory therapists<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0who are highly skilled in evaluating and treating sleep disorders. Our compassionate staff will ensure your stay is pleasant and helpful to your health. For additional information or to make an appointment, please call\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"tel:718-206-5916\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">718-206-5916<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page.   You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter.<strong>  PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We all have nights when we can\u2019t get a good night\u2019s sleep. We toss and turn all night, waking up exhausted because of poor sleep quality. \u00a0 If you are experiencing poor sleep quality, the\u00a0ABC\u00a0method\u00a0or ABCs of respiratory\u00a0therapy\u00a0can help you &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/abc-method-for-better-sleep-and-better-brain-health\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,5,1,364,61,14,63,10,106,13,266,4],"tags":[2368,2367,2249,961,722,512,85,2235,965,2041,1540,335,1962,416,107,473],"class_list":["post-13183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cardiology","category-general-health","category-health","category-home-remedy","category-lifestyle","category-mens-health","category-mental-health","category-orthopedics","category-sleep","category-sleep-center","category-vascular","category-womens-health","tag-abc-method","tag-abc-method-for-better-sleep-and-better-brain-health","tag-best-sleep-postures","tag-cardiology","tag-health","tag-healthy","tag-heart-health","tag-mens-health","tag-mental-health","tag-neurology","tag-obstructive-sleep","tag-problems-sleeping","tag-signs-of-poor-quality-sleep","tag-sleep","tag-sleep-apnea","tag-womens-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13183"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13183\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13187,"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13183\/revisions\/13187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}