Do you know why sleeping on the left side is good for you? Here’re 9 significant ways it can improve your health!
The suggestion of sleeping on left side originated from Ayurveda, and now it is proved in research that it is beneficial.
1. Reduce Heartburn
According to WebMD, people who suffer from nighttime heartburn get benefit from sleeping on their left side, as it helps in reducing the likelihood of regurgitation and the stomach acid escaping up their esophageal tract. The New York Times has an informative article on this!
2. Prevents Snoring
Sleeping on the left side is beneficial for those who tend to snore. This is because it keeps the throat muscles and tongue in a neutral position, thus keeping your airways clear allowing you to breathe properly. Visit Mercola.com to learn more!
3. Improves Digestion
When you are sleeping on your left side, the pull of gravity enables food to easily move from the large intestine into the colon, which means you’ll have a bowel movement easily after waking up in the morning. Also, the gastric juices will flow more naturally, and the peristaltic action of digestion will work more smoothly when sleeping in this position. Moreover, sleeping on the left side boosts digestion by putting less strain on the liver; this, in turn, stimulates the bile flow and increases nutrient absorption.
4. Helps the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the body by removing toxins and waste from the systems. The left side of the body is actually the dominant lymphatic side, and when you are sleeping on this side, the body will have much more time to filter the toxins, waste and lymph fluids. Moreover, since the lymphatic system provides transportation of fats, and other important substances to the body tissues, sleeping on the left side allows the body cells to get the nutrients much faster.
5. Helps Relieve Back and Neck Pain
Another reason why you should sleep on your left side (side sleeping), is because it can help relieve pressure on your spine, and this can reduce back pain while ensuring a good night’s sleep because you’ll be feeling more comfortable.
6. Improves Brain’s Health
Various researches and studies have discovered that sleeping on the left side (side sleeping) can help the brain filter out wastes and other harmful chemical solute, and can also contribute to prevent certain serious health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s.
7. Improves the Functioning of Heart
The heart is on your left side. Therefore, it makes sense to sleep on the left side as it facilitates a smooth flow of blood towards your heart given the pull of gravity. In addition to this, the left side of your heart receives blood from your lungs and then pumps it out to the rest of the body. This means that a left sided sleeping position can help the heart do its’ job more efficiently. However, patients with chronic heart failure or those who have had a heart attack must avoid sleeping on the left side.
8. Beneficial for Pregnant Women
Sleeping on the left side can help relieve pressure on the back, prevent the uterus from squeezing the liver, and can increase blood flow to the fetus, uterus, and kidneys. This position also helps in the smooth flow of nutrients to the placenta, which keeps the unborn baby healthy.
9. Helps Relieve Varicose Veins
Sleeping on the left side is beneficial for people suffering from varicose veins, especially in their lower limbs. Sleeping in this position helps take pressure off the large vein known as the inferior vena cava, which is on the right side of the body. This particular vein carries blood from the lower body to your heart.