Sleeping on Your Left Side: The Best Sleep Position for Better Health

Sleeping on Your Left Side: The Best Sleep Position for Better Health

Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, stress, hypertension, and depression. But it's not just about how much sleep you get, it's also about the quality of sleep you get each night.

According to Dr. John Douillard, a sleep expert and chiropractor, sleeping on your left side can improve the quality of your sleep and have numerous health benefits. It can help reduce snoring, improve lymph flow, enhance blood pressure, and relieve acid reflux.

Ayurvedic medicine also emphasises the importance of the left side for sleep and rest. Both modern science and ancient wisdom highlight the benefits of sleeping on the left side for overall well-being.

A study conducted at Stony Brook University found that sleeping on one side could lower the risk of developing cognitive disorders later in life. The position of the body during sleep can impact the glymphatic system, which is the brain's waste clearance system. The study showed that sleeping on the side allows the brain to effectively flush out toxins and proteins associated with age-related cognitive decline.

While the study was conducted on rodents, further research on humans is needed to confirm these findings.

Here are some reasons why you should consider sleeping on your left side, according to Ayurvedic medicine:

• Helps support bile flow and digestion.
• Improves spleen function.
• Enhances lymphatic drainage from the brain.
• Facilitates the heart's pumping action.
• Aids in elimination by stimulating the movement of waste through the digestive system.
• Prevents post-meal sluggishness by promoting better digestion.
• Assists in the release of bile from the gallbladder.

Your lymphatic system plays a crucial role in detoxification, and the left side of your body is considered the dominant lymphatic side. About 75% of the lymph fluid in your body drains into your left side, including waste products, glucose, and proteins. When the lymphatic system becomes congested, it can lead to health problems on the left side.

Similarly, issues on the right side may arise from imbalances in the blood and liver. The liver is located on the right side of your body, and congestion in the liver can contribute to health issues on the right side.

By sleeping on your left side, you can optimise the function of your spleen, facilitate lymphatic drainage towards your heart, promote better elimination, prevent post-meal sluggishness, and enhance digestion.

While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of sleeping on the left side, incorporating this sleep position into your routine may have a positive impact on your overall health.