We are all different people, thus, we choose different positions for sleeping. Usually, we pick the one that is the most comfortable for us.
Nevertheless, perhaps there is something that you might not know and that is if you sleep on the left side, you will enjoy many benefits.
You might be one of those people who still has not discovered the right position for yourself, however, you can still try this one. When you read all the benefits it offers, you will definitely try it. Let’s check it out.
7 Benefits of Sleeping on the Left Side
1. Boosts the Gut to Help Get Rid of Waste Products
The ileocecal valve i.e. IV is a place on the left side where you can find the junction of the large intestine and where the small intestine is. Therefore, you need to sleep on your left side so that you can boost the elimination of the waste products. If you sleep on the left side you will be able to transfer the waste products from the small to the large intestine. This way gravity will boost regular bowel movement.
2. Prevent Heartburn at Night
If you have GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux, you need to try sleeping on the left side. In this position the stomach will be placed below the cardiac sphincter. Then, this one will connect the esophagus to the stomach. Therefore, the contents of the stomach will not flow back in the esophagus and this will prevent the nighttime GERD or acid reflux.
3. Improved Function of the Spleen
The spleen is an organ which is a part of the lymphatic system. Its location is on the left side of the body. Thus, if you sleep on it, it will aid its function. The gravity actually boosts the blood flow to the spleen and it helps it filter the impurities.
4. Help the Liver not to Congest
The liver is located on the right side of the body. If you spend most of your time sleeping on that side, it can get congested. Therefore, you should sleep on the left side to keep the substances and toxins neutralized before being moved out of the body or collected in the liver.
5. Improves Drainage of the Lymphatic System
The job of the lymphatic system is to remove impurities and toxins from the body. According to some experts, this system drains into the thoracic duct placed on the left side.
This is why, the best benefits will come from sleeping on the left side. This way you can accelerate and facilitate the removal of toxins from the body.
Also, this system gather protein that has escaped from the cells. If you sleep on the left side you can bring them in their right place.
6. Beneficial for Pregnant Women
If you sleep on the right side while you are pregnant is also okay. Nevertheless, the left side will offer you many benefits, especially in the last trimester. The benefits are a boost to the blood flow, saving the liver from weight by allowing it to perform many functions and more.
7. Normal Heart Function
The left side of the heart pumps blood in the body. This is why you need to sleep on this side, because the heart can function better while you are sleeping. Also, this position can aid the circulatory system to use the gravity as a benefit. More specifically, with the aorta and the inferior vena cava i.e IVC which is a big vein that will carry the deoxygenated blood to the heart and it is on the right side of the spine.