If you resemble me in any way, you likely do not give much thought to the posture you assume while sleeping.
Imagine this scenario: after a long day at work, you return home, engage with your children, prepare dinner, tuck them into bed, and perhaps enjoy a brief moment of relaxation in front of the television or with a book. By the time you are ready to retire for the night, you find yourself with just enough energy to make your way to the bedroom and switch off the lights before drifting off to sleep.
While individual schedules may vary, my main point is that I have seldom considered the specifics of my sleep habits. The priority has always been to ensure I get sufficient rest before facing another hectic day, correct?
However, it appears that this assumption may be misguided. It may not be surprising to discover that a great deal occurs within your body during the recommended eight hours of sleep (which, I must confess, is often less in my case). Therefore, it may be worthwhile to reflect on how you achieve those hours, even down to the seemingly trivial detail of which side you choose to sleep on.
Most individuals have a preferred sleeping position. Some favor their right side, others their left, and some even adopt a supine position, sleeping on their backs throughout the night.
Research indicates that there are numerous potential health benefits associated with sleeping on your left side. We believe it is important to share several of these advantages with you, our esteemed readers.
Nighttime Heartburn
If you suffer from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleeping on your left side may provide some relief. This position helps to keep the stomach below the esophagus, thereby lowering the risk of acid flowing back into the esophagus, which often leads to the uncomfortable sensation of heartburn.
Spleen and liver function
The function of the spleen is also noteworthy. Resting on your left side promotes enhanced blood circulation to this organ, thereby improving its efficiency in filtering out impurities from the body and bolstering the immune system.
In a similar vein, the liver, located on the right side of the body, can experience advantages as well. Choosing to sleep on the left side facilitates improved detoxification, assisting the body in the processing of toxins and other substances.
Pregnant women
According to Sleep Foundation, pregnant women should sleep on their left side when possible, as it makes it easier for the heart to pump blood through the body. This is especially important during the last trimester, as left-side sleeping alleviates pressure on the liver (as mentioned above), and supports heart function.
Side-sleeping is generally regarded as a safer option during pregnancy, as research has indicated that sleeping on one’s back may be linked to a higher risk of late stillbirth in certain studies.
Healthy bowel movement
The ileocecal valve, which may be unfamiliar to many, serves as the connection between the large and small intestines and is situated on the left side of the body. It has been suggested that sleeping on the left side enhances the transit of waste from the small intestine to the large intestine. This position utilizes gravity to facilitate the process, ultimately leading to more effective bowel movements and enhanced waste elimination.
When to consider a switch in sleeping position
All that said, sleeping on your left side isn’t a must, and different sleeping positions are known to offer different benefits.
It is essential to ensure your comfort during the night and to be ready to change positions if a specific posture proves to be unsuitable. For instance, sleeping on your side may intensify pre-existing discomfort in areas such as your shoulders, as maintaining the same position for extended periods can lead to increased pressure on one side.
We hope you’ve learned at least something from this article. Do you have a preferred position when you sleep? If so, help us get people talking and share it in the comments.