Why You Should Sleep on Your Left Side
(WellnessPursuits.com) – Are you a back sleeper or stomach sleeper? If so, then it may be time to consider the switch to sleeping on your side — specifically, to your left side. In fact, there are a number of potential short-term and long-term health benefits you could enjoy simply by switching up your sleeping position!
1. Aids With Digestion
For improved digestion and regularity, you might be surprised at what a difference your sleeping position can make. Because the small intestine feeds into the colon on the right side of the body, this is another situation where sleeping on your left side utilizes gravity to make things easier on your digestive system.
As you’re sleeping, waste moves through your body much more easily than it would if you were sleeping on your right side, back, or stomach. As a result, you may find that you have improved regularity and that waste is easy to eliminate each morning when you wake up.
2. Improves Spleen Function
Your spleen is another internal organ that can be found on the left side of your body. Specifically, the spleen is responsible for filtering blood. When you lay on your left side to sleep, then, the spleen’s job of filtering blood is made much easier.
3. Beneficial to the Lymphatic System
Your body’s lymphatic system plays a major role in your overall health and wellness. The left side of the body is where the majority of the lymphatic system can be found, with many lymph fluids draining into various ducts. One of the main purposes of the lymphatic system is to carry proteins and other metabolites through the lymph nodes so they can be absorbed and purified.
By sleeping on your left side, the body’s lymphatic system has an easier time when it comes to the processing of lymphatic fluid. As a result, you may be less likely to suffer from related problems such as chronic lymphatic congestion.
Getting Used to Left-Side Sleeping
When you’re used to sleeping in a certain position, it can be difficult to switch to sleeping exclusively on your left side. However, there are some useful tips worth keeping in mind:
- use a full-length body pillow to prevent yourself from rolling over in your sleep.
- keep a dim light on your right side; your body will naturally want to face away from the light while you sleep.
- if you usually sleep on the right side, try switching the side of the bed you sleep on.
Word of Caution
There are numerous potential health benefits to sleeping on your left side and it must be noted that while sleeping on your left side, clearly aids digestion, if you have heart issues, your physician may encourage you to sleep on your right side instead.
Be sure to check with your doctor and if given the all clear, you might be surprised at just how much better you begin to feel after even a few days of left-side sleeping.
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