How Sleeping on Your Side can Affect Your Health

If you have practiced yoga or meditation, they tell you to pay close attention to your ‘form.’ The same goes for exercise or weight training. If your posture is wrong, exercising and meditation won’t have the effect as it should. Form can affect our posture, health, mind, and body. We should be mindful of our form all the time. For example, sitting, standing, and sleeping. Especially the way we sleep can determine our health and anxiety levels.

The way we sleep has a direct relation to our gut, mental, and physical health. It may seem trivial but it really isn’t. And as we grow older, posture affects our body significantly. Not getting enough sleep or poor quality of sleep can cause stress, anxiety, depression, obesity, and other lifestyle diseases. For those who manage to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night, yet feel tired, lethargic, or have body pains, there is another culprit. Reassess the way you are sleeping daily.

Experts have researched that sleeping on your left side has the highest benefits for your health. Our bodies seem symmetrical but our organ placement is asymmetrical. The way we rest and sleep influences our digestive system and our ability to process waste. Many fitness conscious people are unaware of the importance of sleeping on your side. Tracking calories, eating smart, doing the right exercises could all be futile if we don’t take our sleep seriously. Regular bowel movements and proper digestion is aided by sleeping positions. For people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, or poor gut health, this is an excellent cure.

If you haven’t tried sleeping on your side previously, then start slow. Start on your left side at night to prevent heartburn. Sleeping on the left side will ensure gravity gets the freedom to move waste through your colon. You can try alternating sides if you feel restless. Place a firm pillow between your knees to avoid back pain. You can also add an extra pillow under your head or hug a pillow if your spine needs additional support. It’s about finding a position that works for you. When you sleep on your left side, gravity works perfectly to process waste and ensures you have regular bowel movements in the morning.

Many of us prefer sleeping on our sides. It is perfectly okay to change positions during the night. Start with your left side as it has more benefits for your health. Laying on the left side also reduces heartburn and indigestion as compared to sleeping on the right side. Ayurveda has long recommended sleeping in a fetal position or on your left side. It is because when we lie on the left side, the stomach and its gastric juices remain lower than the esophagus while we sleep. Sleeping on your left side can clear interstitial waste from your brain. It is basically a brain cleanse and can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological diseases. Another benefit of sleeping on your left side is it can reduce snoring or sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side keeps your tongue from falling into your throat and partially blocking your airway.

Sleeping on your left side also helps relieve pain from menstrual cramps.

To sleep better on your side, find a pillow that fits comfortably. Your pillow should be firm but not hard, fluffy but not too soft and sized decently. Something too small or too big could affect your neck. Keep a pillow between your knees to stack your hips and support your lower back. Ensure your arms remain parallel to each other and stay below your face.

There are some side effects to sleeping on your side. It can cause shoulder pain for those who feel uncomfortable or aren’t used to sleeping on their left side. If you have a tight jaw, putting pressure on it while you sleep can leave it sore in the morning. Adjust your position if you suffer from these side effects.

Another position that is very helpful is sleeping on your back. For those struggling from back pain, sleeping on your back keeps your spine aligned. It can take off the pressure from your jaws, neck, and shoulder. Sleeping on your back has also known to reduce headaches and chronic pain. Sleep on an elevated position or take an extra pillow. Lie with legs spread hip-width distance apart and your arms spread in a goalpost formation. Elevate your knees with a pillow. It can take some time to find a comfortable position while sleeping on your back. Sometimes it may not help at all when your pain or an old injury flares up. The trick is to persist and try new positions. Or adjust your pillows. Use a wedge pillow which is specially created to elevate your head. It is designed specifically to reduce back pain, chronic pain, and injury-related pain.

The worst position to try is sleeping on your stomach. It puts excess pressure on your core and strains your spine in the wrong direction. So if you sleep on your stomach, time to try a new position ASAP!