Getting a good night's sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. But did you know that the position you sleep in can also have an impact on your overall wellbeing? Sleeping on your left side is one of the most recommended positions for a restful night's sleep. Here, we'll explore why it's beneficial to sleep on your left side and how it can help improve your health. Sleeping on the left side is especially beneficial for pregnant people. This position helps to improve blood flow between the heart, fetus, uterus, and kidneys, while keeping pressure off the liver.
If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, doctors suggest switching to the right side for a short time instead of sleeping on your back. When you lie on your back, your nostrils tend to close, which can cause you to snore. Sleeping on your left side can also help open up your airways naturally and make breathing easier. You may also find relief if you rest on your right side, but doctors believe that sleeping on the left side is more effective. It is also the recommended sleeping position for people with sleep apnea.
An ideal sleeping position can make you feel better physically by supporting your spine and keeping your body aligned. In addition, if a new sleeping position helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, you can reap the benefits of a good night's sleep. Sleep reduces stress, increases mental clarity, boosts energy levels, and helps maintain a strong immune system. Because of the anatomy and location of your body's internal organs, these incredible benefits only come from sleeping on your left side instead of sleeping on your right side. While it may feel comfortable, sleeping on your stomach is generally not recommended for most people as it puts excessive strain on your muscles, joints, and spine, which can lead to aches and pains. However, it's important to note that if you suffer from positional sleep apnea, experts recommend avoiding the prone sleeping position; in this case, sleeping on your side often serves as a good sleeping position.
Supine sleep can cause the uvula to move toward the back of the throat, causing snoring or loss of oxygen intake during sleep. When you get a good night's rest, your body has a chance to rejuvenate and recover from the previous day's activities. It's important to remember that there is no single “perfect” sleeping position; however, sleeping on your back seems to be ideal for most people, followed by the left side and then the right side. If you find yourself struggling to stay in this position throughout the night, try placing a tennis ball in a pocket sewn into the back of a shirt or pajama top. Now, every time you try to return to your usual sleeping position, the tennis ball will create a little discomfort and encourage you to move to your side. Sleeping on your side can also help brain health by helping to distribute toxins throughout the brain so that the body can eliminate them.
Instead of relying solely on anecdotal evidence that suggests that sleeping on one's left side improves blood flow to the heart while resting, more research needs to be done in this area. A study conducted among people who are overweight found that sleeping on their side improved oxygen levels by six to seven percent. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects many Americans and can negatively affect sleep quality by contributing to episodes of acid reflux and heartburn. Sleeping on your back allows your body to rest in a neutral position while keeping your head positioned above your chest; this is great for minimizing heartburn pain and symptoms. Side sleep occurs when you avoid sleeping on either your back or stomach and choose instead to sleep on one side or the other. Sleeping on your left side has many benefits for both pregnant people and those with GERD or sleep apnea; however, it's important to remember that everyone is different and there is no single “perfect” sleeping position.
