Why You Should Try To Sleep On Your Left Side

This cute illustration is from Cracco Illustration.

"Put your thoughts to sleep, do not let them cast a shadow over the moon of your heart.

Let go of thinking."

Rumi

Lots has been said, written and shared about our sleep...this blog post is different, it doesn't focus on why sleep is important or how you can get a better night's sleep but rather why sleeping on your left side matters and why you should try it.

When you curl up in your comfy pyjama under your warm cover ready to sleep, most of us have this one favorite sleeping position that helps us fall asleep quite quickly and peacefully. Have you ever thought if there actually is a position that might be better for your body? I personally haven't really to be honest until recently two of my dearest friends, Amelie and Tulika, have shared that sleeping on your left side has huge health benefits so I started trying it. Then suddenly an Ayurvedic doctor wrote about this in one of her newsletters too and so I was hooked and started to read about it. I now not only sleep on my left side (not the full night but big parts of it), I also lay down on my left for 5 to 10 minutes after my meals, you will find out why when you scroll down :-)

Depending on what you are looking for, of course different sleeping positions have different benefits. In this post I am purely talking about the benefits of sleeping on your left side.

Here is some helpful background information:

The left side of your body is completely different than your right side. I know this can sound a bit strange :-) Although our bodies appear largely symmetrical, our organ placement makes us asymmetrical internally. How we rest influences the way our systems direct and process waste — which should be part of our overall health aspirations.

You might track working out, eating a healthy breakfast, or starting the day with a fresh perspective. Why not give your bowel movement the same attention? For some of us, a bowel movement happens like clockwork. But others living with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, lazy bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or other gastrointestinal conditions may struggle to check this item off the to-do list. So why not let gravity do the work? While you sleep on your left side at night, gravity can help take waste on a trip through the ascending colon, then into the transverse colon, and finally dump it into the descending colon — encouraging a trip to the bathroom in the morning.

Here is an extra pro tip:

Start out on your left side at night to prevent heartburn and allow gravity to move waste through your colon. Alternate sides if your shoulder bothers you. Place a firm pillow between your knees and hug one to support your spine.

Now let's get real and talk about these benefits!

#1 Reinforces the lymphatic system

Sleeping on the left side allows your body to better filter lymph fluid (lymph) and body waste through lymph nodes as the left side of the body is the dominant lymphatic flank.

#2 Improves digestion

When digestion performed, sleeping on the left side may be preferable to doing it right by the mere fact of gravity. Specifically, lying down on the left side of the body allows food waste to move quickly from the large intestine into the colon. Sleeping on the left side helps your stomach and pancreas to stay in their natural position. Since both organs are on the left side of the body, allowing pancreatic enzymes and gastric juices to concentrate on that side.

Tip: I recommend lying down on your left side after each meal for about 10 to 15 minutes to help your body with the digestion.

#3 Good for your heart

For many years doctors have recommended pregnant women to sleep on their left side to improve heart circulation. Even if you are not pregnant or you are not a woman, sleeping on the left side can help to decrease the pressure exerted by the heart since gravity can facilitate the circulation of the aorta. However, the debate over how much it helps the heart to sleep in this position is open.

#4 Ideal position during pregnancy

Sleeping on the left side improves the circulation during pregnancy. It can also help to relieve back pain, increase blood circulation in the uterus and prevent it from putting pressure on the liver. It also improves circulation in the kidneys and fetus. For these reasons, doctors recommend if you are pregnant, you spend most time lying on your left side.

#5 Decrease acidity

Sleeping on the left side contribute to reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. Again, this is thanks to gravity. If you are experiencing heartburn after a meal, lie down 10 minutes on your left side and check for yourself.

#6 Improves the function of the spleen

The spleen is a small but vital organ. Its primary function is a destruction of old red blood cells, to produce some new ones and to maintain a reserve of blood. It helps to immunize the body. Sleeping on the left side will make this vital organ work efficiently.

Pro tips for sleeping on your side

Many of us actually already favor side sleeping. A 2017 study deduced we spend more than half of our time in bed in a side or fetal position. If you’re a side sleeper, you likely do a little flip-flopping during the night. That’s fine. Just try to start out on your left side to pamper your gut.

Directions for side sleeping

“Measure the length between your neck and the end of your shoulder,” Fish says. “Find a pillow that supports this height so that your head and neck can stay aligned with your spine."

• Find a pillow that fits your collarbone structure.

• Place a firm pillow between your knees to stack your hips and support your lower back.

• Make sure the pillow is firm enough to avoid collapse.

• Hug a pillow as well so that you have a comfortable place to rest your top arm.

• Keep your arms parallel to each other and at or below your face.

With that, I wish you a restful and peaceful night and hope you enjoyed reading this post.

Much love and light to you!