Whether you sleep on your left side, on your back, or your stomach, it might be time to switch things around.
Not only is this sleeping position more pleasant, but it may also benefit your general health.
In a TikTok that received 406.9k likes, herbalist Ali Ramadan, better known as @holisticali, discussed the advantages of sleeping on your left side.
In fifteen seconds, Ramadan gave his audience enough information to convince anyone to start sleeping on their left side.
One remark said, “Dramatically switched to the left side after seeing this vid.” Another user said, “I tried it, and it really does make a difference.”
Ramadan says that in addition to promoting more restful sleep, resting on the left side can aid with stomach problems and heartburn.
“Since the stomach and its gastric juices remain lower than the esophagus when we sleep on the left side, heartburn and other digestive upsets are reduced,” claims Ramadan.
He continued by saying that this sleeping posture can assist to reduce any existing back discomfort by avoiding applying excessive pressure to the back.
It’s possible that you only like one certain sleeping position. That is something we know. We thus called in professionals to fully assess if it makes sense to move to the other side.
Which Side Wins in the End?
Sleepopolis met with Jeff Kahn, a sleep medicine doctor and co-founder of Rise Science, to better understand. While there is no right or wrong way to sleep, Kahn says that some individuals find that sleeping on their left side is more pleasant, especially if they are pregnant or have certain medical conditions.
For example, it may be helpful for expectant mothers since it helps enhance cardiac circulation, which is good for the mother and the unborn child, according to Kahn.
Side sleeping is beneficial not just for expecting women but also for anyone who feel queasy.
According to him, it’s also supposed to lessen heartburn and aid in digestion, which is advantageous for people who have digestive problems.
Kahn further mentioned that because of the specific form of your digestive tract, laying on your left side might make it simpler for food to flow through your intestinal tract.
This is caused by the way the digestive system is arranged; if you’re on your left, gravity can assist in moving food from your small to big intestine. “As your stomach is lower than your esophagus when you lie on your left, stomach acid finds it more difficult to rise up into it and cause acid reflux.”
In an interview with Sleepopolis, Martin Seeley, the CEO and developer of Mattress Next Day, talked about the benefits of sleeping on your left side for your cardiovascular system.
It is generally advised for those with heart disease or high blood pressure to sleep on their left side since it might improve blood circulation. Better oxygenation of the body is possible in this posture, which might enhance cardiovascular health, according to Seeley. “However, sleeping on the right side can cause circulation issues in certain body parts, like the feet and legs.”
Though it seems that sleeping on the left side is better, Kahn pointed out that the evidence for this isn’t very strong.
In the end, it’s critical to choose a sleeping position that complements your body type and promotes a good night’s sleep.
“The most comfortable position for you is the one that enables you to obtain adequate, healthful, naturalistic sleep,” according to Kahn.
If you value your sleep, it could be wise to keep sleeping in the same posture. Being on the wrong side of the bed when you wake up is the last thing you want.
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