Doctor issues immediate warning to anyone sleeping in one position

There are few things better than hitting the hay after a long day but sleeping might be doing us some damage if we're not quite doing it right.

Of course, there are early birds and night owls, or people who just have full blown insomnia, and not getting enough sleep is naturally going to make us feel worse.

Although some people in the military have perfected a method of falling asleep in just seconds, others lie awake for hours thinking about that one conversation they had 12 years ago with a girl they fancied.

However, even once we successfully make it to the land of nod, it can be damaging for our health if we're in an awkward position while we're asleep.

We've all had nights on sofas or uncomfortable beds that leave us with a stiff neck in the morning but sleeping regularly in the 'T Rex' position, with your arms bent and curled close to your chest, could be doing some long-term damage.

Sleeping like this isn't good for us, but dogs are probably fine (Getty Stock)

“When you sleep with your arms bent and tucked in, you can press on the nerves in your elbows or wrists,” Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a sleep medicine specialist and chief medical adviser for Sleepopolis, told HuffPost. “This can slow blood flow and make your arms feel numb or tingly. If you do it often, it can also strain your shoulders and make them stiff or sore.”

He added: "If your arms or hands go numb every night, stay numb for a while after waking up, or start to feel weak during the day, it’s time to see a doctor.”

Doing this every night can easily contribute to symptoms which are similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition which causes numbness and pain in your fingers and thumbs.

Warning signs likely include shooting pain down your arm, trouble gripping things or even dropping your phone more often. Although you might think you're just being clumsy, it's worth going to a doctor if this is happening consistently.

A bad night's sleep can leave you feeling pretty bad in the morning (Getty Stock)

“It’s usually temporary and goes away once you change your sleeping position,” Dasgupta noted. “But if the pressure keeps happening for a long time, weeks or months, it can cause lasting nerve damage.”

It's tricky to change your sleep position if you've been doing the same one all your life but fortunately the experts also had some tips for preventing these side effects, which are vital since you can't tell your brain to not put you in that position while you're busy dreaming.

These include wrapping a hand towel or wrist bandage around your elbow to create a barrier which should stop bending your arms like a T Rex. Hugging a body pillow, or even better a person, is also a great way to keep your arms locked in a more neutral position.