This is what sleeping on the left side does for our brain, stomach & glymphatic health

Man, sleeping and bed in morning rest for healthy wellness, peace and quiet on comfort pillow at home. Tired or exhausted male person asleep or dreaming on peaceful holiday or weekend in the bedroom

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to how you sleep at night. As long as you’re getting those precious zzz’s, what does it matter if you’re curled up on your side, sprawled out on your back, or face-down on your stomach?

Man, sleeping and bed in morning rest for healthy wellness, peace and quiet on comfort pillow at home. Tired or exhausted male person asleep or dreaming on peaceful holiday or weekend in the bedroom
Source: Shutterstock

Well, it turns out the position you choose to rest your head could have a bigger impact on your health than you realize. In fact, different sleeping positions can lead to vastly different results in the body – for better or for worse.

While people should ultimately sleep in whatever way feels most comfortable, understanding the potential benefits and drawbacks of each position can be eye-opening. And one sleep style in particular – sleeping on your left side – has some pretty remarkable advantages that may just have you rethinking your nightly routine.

The Benefits of Sleeping on Your Left Side

Reduce back pain – Sleeping on the stomach could pressure the spine and cause aching. Side sleeping keeps the spine in a naturally straight position and reduces the pressure in the lower back.

Reduce snoring – Sleeping on the back causes the tongue and soft palate to slide backward and partially cover the airway, causing increased snoring. It’s also a common occurrence for people with sleep apnea. But side-sleeping keeps the tongue forward and the airway clear.

Improve digestion – Sleeping on the left side, in particular, could ease some gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, constipation, and heartburn. The stomach is on the left side of the body, so lying on that side allows gravity to aid the digestion process.

It may help with brain health – Many people are unaware that the brain eliminates waste during slumber. Studies indicate that side sleeping helps the brain clear metabolic waste more effectively by supporting the glymphatic system, which is similar to our lymphatic system, but in our central nervous system. This may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s, and other brain diseases, according to animal studies. More research is needed on humans to expand on these concepts further.

Improves blood flow – Good circulation is crucial during pregnancy to allow blood to flow to the placenta. This is why it’s recommended that expecting women sleep in this position.

 

 

 

 

CONTINUE READING…
Author: awestories24.com

Related Posts

Leech Therapy

Sure! Here’s a brief news-style description in English about leech therapy: Leech Therapy: An Ancient Healing Method Making a Modern Comeback Leech therapy, also known as hirudotherapy,…

A Scale, Suspicious Notifications, and a Person with Keys to Our House: What I Found Behind My Husband’s Lies

When Nicole started receiving mysterious notifications from the digital bathroom scale her husband brought home, she brushed it off as a glitch. But as the same numbers…

I Visited My Late Father’s House for the First Time in 13 Years and Found a Bag in the Attic with a Note for Me

Claire never thought a simple act of theft would shake her so deeply—until she caught a child sneaking out of the store with a sandwich. But when…

21-Year-Old Noah Hall Found Dead in His Bed – What Happened

Aside from reports disclosing the tragic details surrounding a young man’s death, his obituary has been shared online, and a GoFundMe page has been created to help…

My Landlord Raised My Rent Because I Got a Promotion — Big Mistake Messing With a Single Working Mom of Three

When Anna, a single mom of three, finally gets promoted, her sleazy landlord hikes the rent… just because he can. But he’s about to learn the hard…

Mother’s Heart Drops After Late-Night Call from Daughter at Sleepover: ‘Mom, I Just Saw a Camera in the Room!’ – Story of the Day

Lydia’s gut told her something was wrong, but her husband insisted she was overreacting. Then the phone rang. Her daughter’s whisper sent a chill down her spine—“Mom,…