6 Great Reasons Sleep On Your Left Side
Your sleeping position is especially
important to consider for your mental and physical well-being. This is
because there's more to the quality of sleep you're getting than its
duration. In fact, a small body of research suggests that people who
sleep on their left side are not only likely to sleep better, but are
believed to be healthier than those who sleep on their right side.
This idea stems from an ancient holistic
approach to health and medicine developed in India, known as Ayurveda
(meaning "the science of life"). But why sleep on your left side? It
turns out that doing so enhances your digestion, alleviates back pain
and also reduces heartburn. Let's take a closer look at the health
benefits of sleeping on your left side:
1. It supports the body in getting rid of
toxins, waste and other unwanted materials
According to Ayurvedic tradition, sleeping on your left side bolsters
the lymphatic system, allowing your body to better filter lymph fluid
and waste via the lymph nodes. In this respect, your sleeping position
makes a difference, because the left side of the body is the dominant
lymphatic side. Furthermore, new research has found that sleeping on the
left side can allow the body to clear waste chemicals from the brain
more efficiently. In contrast, sleeping on your right side decreases the
lymphatic system's efficiency.
2. It is good for the heart
Sleeping on your left side improves circulation to the heart. The theory
is that gravity can facilitate both lymph drainage toward the heart, as
well as circulation away from the heart.
3. It may reduce heartburn
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical
Gastroenterology, lying on the left side can help reduce acid reflux
symptoms. On the contrary, lying on the right side may aggravate the
symptoms. So, if you're struggling with heart burn, lie down on your
left side for 10 minutes to alleviate the symptoms.
4. It may improve digestion
The idea that sleeping on your left side may improve digestion simply
stems from a matter of gravity. The theory is that lying on the left
side allows food waste to move easily from the large intestine into the
colon. Therefore, this means that you are more likely to have a bowel
movement upon waking. This sleeping position also allows the stomach and
pancreas to hang naturally, as both organs are predominantly located on
the left side.
It may also better channel the gastric juices and easily promote the
secretion of pancreatic enzymes. It therefore enables digestion to work
little by little instead of all at once, which is what tends to happen
when we sleep on the right side (see image above).
5. It may alleviate back pain
Sleeping on the left side can relieve pressure on the spine, and is
therefore ideal for people who suffer from chronic back pain, allowing
them to feel more comfortable and get a good night's sleep.
6. It is beneficial for pregnant women
Besides boosting blood circulation, sleeping on the left side can also
help relieve pressure on the back, keeping the uterus from squeezing the
liver. This sleeping position also increases blood flow to the uterus,
kidneys and fetus.
Who does not benefit from this sleeping
position?
For the most part, there are a number of beneficial reasons for sleeping
on your left side. However some, particularly those with heart disease,
sleep apnea, glaucoma, and carpal tunnel syndrome, may not benefit from
sleeping on one side.
If you're unsure which sleeping position is best for you, consult with a
medical professional.
Making the switch
If this is a sleeping position you are not used to, it might take some
time to get into the new habit of sleeping on your left side. Here are a
couple of tips to make the transition a little smoother:
• Place a body pillow behind your back so that it is harder for you to
roll off of your left side while sleeping.
• Sleep on the opposite side of the bed than you normally do. That way,
your sleep orientation won't feel so different.
• Sleeping on your side can put pressure on your hips and shoulders, so
opt for a softer mattress to relieve pressure in those areas.
Without a doubt, the combination of a comfy bed and a health-promoting
sleeping position will increase your chances of sleeping well.