Why You Should Sleep On Your Left Side: 5 Reasons & Benefits
Sleeping could be one of the best satisfying activities you will love to enjoy in your daily life. It not only gives you physical rest but also provides relaxation to your mind.
But lying down on your bed doesn’t mean you get sound sleep, as the right sleeping position is an important factor you need to know and follow in your daily lifestyle.
As per Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system, the best position of side of sleep is on the left side which is not only good for your intestine but also has multiple other health benefits.
Here, we brought up the incredible health benefits of sleeping on your left side and how sleeping on the left side after eating could be helpful for your digestive system.
Five Health Benefits of Sleeping on the Left Side
#1 Improves Digestion System
Do you know lying on your left side improves digestion and keep your digestive system strong with long-term effects?
Our stomach sits to the left side of the abdomen and when you lie down on your left side, it allows food to pass into the large intestine more easily.
Moreover, it also keeps the stomach from lying on top of the pancreas which allows the free flow of digestive enzymes and at the same time also supports gravity allowing the food waste to move more easily from the small intestine into the large intestine.
#2 Prevent Heartburn & Acid Reflux
People having chronic heartburn or acid reflux problem need to be very careful while sleeping in the wrong position.
As per several research studies sleeping on the right side intensifies heartburn, while sleeping on the left side calm it.
Let me make this clearer how it works – sleeping on the right side relaxes the lower Esophageal sphincter, between the stomach and the Esophagus.
While sleeping on the left side keeps the confluence between the oesophagus and stomach above the level of gastric acid helps you prevent heartburn or acid reflux-related problems.
#3 Prevents Snoring or Sleep APNEA
Another benefit of sleeping on the left side is it prevents making a noise from snoring that comes out from the nose and mouth due to improper breathing.
While sleeping on your back pushes these muscles to the back of your throat making it difficult for you to breathe.
Sleeping on your side keeps your tongue from falling into your throat and partially blocking your airway.
And sleeping on the left side keeps your tongue and throat in a neutral position that allows clear airways allowing you to breathe properly.
#4 Good to Keep Your Heart Healthy
As we all know our heart is placed on the left side so it’s better to sleep on the left-hand side and facilitate a smoother flow of blood towards the heart supported by the force of gravity.
It will also reduce some burden on your heart and also give rest to your entire body.
Actually, when you sleep on the left side your aorta carries blood from the heart to other parts of your body, and it vault to the left as it initiates its route when you lay down it is pointed down, the heart has to do less work to get the blood moving forward.
#5 Ideally Beneficial for Pregnant Women
As we know the body of a pregnant woman circulates blood for two bodies, and it requires a greater blood volume to flow for both of them.
And sleeping on the left side during pregnancy increases the flow of blood to the uterus, kidneys, and fetus which helps to relieve pressure on the back and keeps the uterus from squeezing the liver.
As growing the foetus also keep expanding the uterus puts pressure on the backbone and other organs.
Also Read: What Causes a Baby to Stop Growing in the Womb in Pregnancy?
And lying on the left side keeps blood circulating freely and reduces the pressure of the baby on the mother’s spine and also helps in the smooth flow of nutrients to the placenta to keep the health of the baby in good condition.
This is the reason why sleep on the left side when pregnant as such women spend most of their time sleeping.
