Sleep position matters: why sleeping on your left side can enhance your health

Maintaining good quality sleep is an integral part of our health care. It's important to understand that sleep allows for bodily regeneration and ensures the efficient functioning of many systems. Consistent sleep patterns are vital as a balanced sleep cycle can impact numerous hormonal processes. Investigations by scientists suggest that the position we assume for sleep can significantly affect both our rest quality and overall health. Different people have different sleep preferences. Some prefer sleeping on their backs, others on their stomachs, while some find comfort sleeping on their sides. However, experts advise against sleeping on your right side. What adverse effects are associated with frequently settling into this sleep position?

Medical professionals explain that sleeping on your right side can place unnecessary strain on the heart. This is due to the position of the aorta, which arches to the left, causing blood to flow upwards against gravity when lying on the right side. Aside from creating additional cardiovascular strain, sleeping on your right side can also lead to heartburn. This is due to the stomach pressing against the pancreas, subsequently affecting the movement of stomach acids.

Favouring the right side for sleep can also contribute to digestive issues. This is because lying in this position can put strain on our intestines, which do a significant portion of their work on the right side of our bodies. Similarly, the ileocecal valve, which aids the transportation of metabolic waste from the intestines, is located on the right side.

A number of experts argue that the optimal sleep position is on your left side. This position offers comfort and is associated with a number of health benefits. It is particularly recommended for individuals with heart conditions and for pregnant women. This isn't surprising, given that sleeping on the left side allows the heart to work more efficiently. In this position, the movement of blood from lower parts of the body upwards is not hindered. The functioning of the pancreas is also enhanced as it isn't pressed by the stomach. Furthermore, the lymphatic flow process improves as the majority of the lymphatic system is located on the left side.

It's also noteworthy to point out that sleeping on the left side enhances digestive processes in the body. Food waste is transported more effectively from the small intestine to the large intestine, minimising the chance of reflux. Moreover, long-term regular sleep on the left side can help in relieving spinal stress.