Why shouldn’t you sleep on your right side?

According to a study by John Douillard, sleeping position has a greater impact on health than previously thought. Not only does the position itself play an important role, but it is also the favored side.

right and left side

Many bodily functions are scattered on the right or left side of the body. Depending on which side is preferred while sleeping, bodily functions are supported or impaired:

• The stomach and pancreas are on the left. When you lie on your right side, your stomach puts pressure on the pancreas and prevents it from working.
• The aorta, the main artery, branches to the left of the heart. Lying on the right puts additional strain on the heart as it has to pump blood “uphill”.
• The spleen is on the left side of the body and is responsible for cleaning the blood. To support the body’s lymphatic system, it is best to lie on your left side so that waste products can quickly reach the spleen.
• The esophagus is on the right side of the stomach. Lying on the right allows food acid to flow back into the esophagus. As a result, right-handed sleepers experience heartburn about twice as often as left-handed sleepers.

never on your stomach

The worst sleep option is your stomach. In this position, the spine is very curved. This puts pressure on the joints and muscles. Pain, numbness and unpleasant tingling are the result the next day. The prone position also puts pressure on the neck, making breathing and circulation difficult.

best sleeping position

Experts agree that the best sleeping position is on your back. When we lie on our back, our head, neck and spine are in a neutral position. This avoids additional stress points.

Sleeping on your back also helps with stomach problems. When you lie on your back, your head is slightly elevated. Thus, the esophagus is above the stomach, which prevents heartburn.

Moreover, the supine position minimizes contact between the face and the pillow. This means that acne and premature wrinkles are prevented.

How do you learn a new sleeping position?

Everyone has different sleeping habits. And the most common isn’t always the healthiest option—only 14 percent of people sleep on their back. Breaking the habit takes time and patience. Here are a few tips on how to correct your sleeping position:

• Many people feel a slight pull in their back when lying on their back. Stretching and gentle yoga before bed can help.
• With the help of training pillows, the body can be brought into a healthy position without uncomfortable pressure points or rotation of the body while sleeping.
• Practice makes perfect – you have to be persistent to learn a new sleeping position. (chj)