Which position do you typically sleep in: on your back, on your stomach or on your side? Do you keep your arms straight or spread or raised over your head? Or maybe you like to curl up like a pretzel? Most of us have a preference, but were you aware that some sleep positions are more beneficial for your health than others?
If you have trouble falling asleep and wake up feeling more tired than the night before, this might be a signal that you need to change your sleeping position. Thankfully, the experts have something to advise on this matter.
Dr. John Douillard, an ayurveda specialist, suggests that sleeping on your left side might be the optimal decision if you want to improve your health. Here are his thoughts on the matter:
It takes pressure off your spine
Sleeping on your back will put pressure on your hips and upper back and keep your lower back suspended, which in the long run is damaging. Sleeping on your stomach will strain your neck and lower back. Sleeping on your side is the one position that least strains your spine, and besides guarantees that your lungs will be receiving optimal air flow.
It helps digestion
According to Douillard, the speed with which food is digested depends on the position you are in. With the way our intestines are built, food travels from the small intestine to the large intestine and then into the colon the fastest when we are lying on our left side. He even recommends spending 10 minutes in this position after each meal to help your body process the food faster.
It’s good for the lymphatic system
Douillard explains that the most of the lymphatic system is on the left-hand side of the body, and that’s the side where lymphatic congestion most frequently occurs. Sleeping on your left side will ensure that gravity helps with natural lymph drainage, taking some pressure off your hearth and spleen.
So, if you still haven’t found the one sleeping position you are most comfortable in – maybe you should give this one a whirl! And let us know if you notice positive changes.
