Bed Habits: Can sleeping on your left save your life?

It’s certainly quite obvious that the duration of your sleep is critical for both your mental and physical health, but did you know that your sleeping position can also severely impact on your wellbeing? A few of you might have heard that sleeping on your side can alleviate respiratory issues and snoring problems, as well as help those who suffer from asthma, but which side should you really be sleeping on? Can sleeping on your left really benefit you more than snoozing all night on your right?

Sleeping on the right strains your lymphatic system

The left side of the body is, interestingly, the dominant lymphatic side. Your lymphatic system helps to remove toxins and waste from your body by migrating lymph fluid – the stuff that carries proteins, glucose and waste products – through the thoracic duct and lymph nodes.

Sleeping on the right will cause the lymphatic system to run at a slower pace and may even negate the efficiency of filtering toxins from the body, thus increasing your risk of deadly diseases.

Sleeping on your left is good for your heart

Pregnant women are often recommended by their doctors to sleep on their left as this improves blood circulation to the heart. And that’s not all sleeping on the left can do for pregnant women. This position relieves pressure on the back and also prevents the uterus from squeezing the liver. Blood flow to the uterus, kidneys and fetus is also improved.

Sleeping on your left improves digestion

Because our stomach lies on the left side of the body, sleeping on the left will allow the stomach and pancreas to hang naturally, which ensures that they work without difficulty and without external pressure. Digestion is unhindered and food waste is more easily processed.

So, is sleeping on your left for you?

While there are definitely reasons to be sleeping on the left, you should also note that there might be reasons why you might not benefit from side-sleeping. Those with conditions such as heart disease, glaucoma and carpal tunnel syndrome might not end up benefiting from such a position. If you are unsure about the best sleeping position for you, be sure to consult a medical professional.

Angela Goh

Photo: Getty Images

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