Whether you like to sleep on your left side, back, or stomach, it may be time to change your sleeping posture. This sleeping posture has the ability to boost your overall health while also making you more comfortable. Herbalist Ali Ramadan, popularly known as @holisticali, discussed the benefits of sleeping on your left side in a TikTok video that received 406.9k likes.
Ramadan gave his audience enough information in fifteen seconds to urge them to start sleeping on their left side. “Dramatically switched to the left side after seeing this vid,” one commenter wrote. “I tried it, and it does make a difference,” commented another person.According to Ramadan, resting on the left side can aid with heartburn and stomach difficulties while also promoting a more restful night’s sleep.
Ramadan states: “When we sleep on the left side, the stomach and its gastric juices remain lower than the esophagus thus reducing heartburn and digestive upsets.”He said that by avoiding putting too much pressure on the back, this sleeping position can help reduce any existing back pain. You may have a firm preference for a specific sleeping position. We are aware of it.
To properly decide whether it is worthwhile to travel to the opposing side, we consulted specialists. So, which side comes out on top? To help you understand, Sleepopolis chatted with Jeff Kahn, co-founder of Rise Science and a sleep medicine expert. According to Kahn, there is no right or wrong way to sleep; however, pregnant women or those with certain medical conditions may find that sleeping on their left side is more comfortable.
“For instance, it might be advantageous for pregnant women because it can improve circulation to the heart, benefiting both mom and baby,” according to Kahn. Side sleeping can aid pregnant women as well as those who suffer from nausea. “It’s also thought to help with digestion and reduce heartburn, which can be beneficial for those with gastrointestinal issues,” he told me.
Kahn went on to say that because your digestive tract is constructed in a specific way, laying on your left side can make it simpler to transfer food through your intestines.”This is due to the layout of the digestive tract; when you’re on your left, gravity can help move food along from your small intestine to your large intestine,” he told me. “When you lay on your left, your stomach is lower than your esophagus, making it harder for stomach acid to rise up into it causing acid reflux.”
Martin Seeley, the founder and CEO of Mattress Next Day, talked about the benefits of sleeping on your left side for your cardiovascular system in an interview with Sleepopolis. “Sleeping on your left side can improve circulation and is frequently recommended for people with heart disease or high blood pressure. This position provides for greater oxygenation of the body, which may aid in cardiovascular health,” Seeley explained.
“Meanwhile, sleeping on the right side can reduce circulation to some areas of the body such as the legs and feet.” Although it looks that sleeping on the left side is preferred, Kahn stated that there isn’t much evidence to back up this notion. Finally, choose a sleeping posture that promotes a comfortable night’s sleep and is appropriate for your body type.
“The best sleeping position for you is the one that you find most comfortable and that allows you to get enough healthy, naturalistic sleep,” according to Kahn. If you value your sleep, you may want to stick with your usual sleeping posture. You don’t want to wake up on the wrong side of the bed.