Learn the 6 reasons why you should sleep on your left side.

Good rest and quality sleep are essential for our physical and mental well-being. In this sense, our sleeping position plays a very important role, as there are many positions that do not benefit us from optimal rest and can cause injuries to our spine and organs.

According to recent holistic research, a branch of Ayurvedic medicine originating in India, sleeping on your left side could be very beneficial for your health. It not only improves sleep quality and digestion, but also contributes to proper spinal hygiene and is good for your heart and other organs.

Benefits of sleeping on the left side

1. It is good for the brain and for lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic drainage of the brain is a process that removes waste from the nervous system that is extremely harmful to health. These lymph nodes are mostly located on the left side, which is why the same does not occur when we sleep on the right side .

2. Sleeping on your left side helps your heart.

Resting on your left side is the best option for your heart, as it helps it pump blood more easily. Ayurvedic medicine indicates that this is a serious issue, as the aorta arches out of the heart toward the left side to reach the abdomen.

3. Improves circulation

Sleeping this way frees up the vena cava, as no organ in the body is pressing on it. This facilitates better circulation and prevents the extra strain on the oxygen-laden blood leaving the aorta.

4. It benefits digestion

Sleeping on your left side is more advisable than sleeping on your right side when it comes to digestion . This allows both the stomach and pancreas to remain in a natural position and food waste to travel more easily through the large intestine to the colon.

5. It is recommended for pregnant women

Sleeping on your left side is highly recommended during pregnancy, as it improves blood circulation and helps relieve pressure on your back. This position also keeps the uterus in a position where it doesn't press against the liver, and increases blood flow to the uterus, kidneys, and fetus.

6. Relieve back pain

If you suffer from chronic back pain, you could greatly benefit from changing your sleeping position to your left. This improvement would be evident because by adopting this position, at least for a few hours a night, you would relieve pressure on your spine and enjoy better sleep and wake up more comfortably.

How to change your sleeping habits?

You've probably had every intention of changing your sleeping position, but you just can't get used to it, find it uncomfortable, or find yourself slipping back into the wrong position during the night. So, here are some tips to help you make this transition seamlessly.

• Place a pillow behind your back so that it is difficult for you to turn over while you sleep.
• Try sleeping on the opposite side of the bed from where you normally sleep.
• Choose a mattress that's ideal for side sleepers , as sleeping on your side can put added pressure on your hips and shoulders. The mattress should be soft to help relieve pressure in those areas.
• Use the right pillow ; it should be neither too hard nor too soft and have a medium height.

Are you not sleeping well? Learn the causes and consequences in this article. Click here.

It is true that all the reasons mentioned above are more than enough to consider the idea of ​​sleeping on your left side, but it is very important to keep in mind that some people, including those with coronary artery disease, apnea, glaucoma and carpal tunnel syndrome, may not benefit from this nighttime position , and even sleeping on your left side would harm your heart.

That's why, if you have any doubts or want to change your habits, and even more so if you have any of the aforementioned disorders, among others we haven't listed, consult a healthcare professional so they can tell you which position would be ideal for you.