Problems with sleep are becoming increasingly common. If you don’t sleep well, you increase the risk of depression, high blood pressure, high stress and increased weight.
While experts recommend sleeping 7-8 hours per night, there are other factors you should consider. It’s not just about the quantity of time you spend in bed. You also need to do what’s required to get quality sleep.
One very important factor for quality sleep is the position of our body.
Chiropractor and sleep expert Dr. John Douillard suggests that sleep quality improves by sleeping on your left side. It helps to improve health levels and increases our longevity.
As Dr. Douillard says: “Emphasizing the left side for rest and sleep offers some time-tested wisdom for very real health and longevity benefits.”
In the video below, Dr. Douillard also explains why sleeping on your left side is good for improving digestion.
The reasons why you should sleep on your left side
1. Heartburn relief
If you have a sensitive stomach and regularly get heartburn, sleeping on your left side may be the solution you’re looking for. According to experts, it helps to alleviate your heartburn.
2. Heart health
Sleeping on your left side towards your heart increases the efficiency of how our heart works while we sleep.
3. Helps lymphatic system
Have you heard of lymphatic drainage? The left side of the body is actually our lymphatic side, and sleeping on this side means that we’re more effective at removing waste, toxins and lymph fluid.
4. Stops snoring
Snoring affects many people and can be a terrible health problem. It not only impacts someone’s partner’s sleep, it can also be bad for the snorer’s heart. Sleeping on the left side especially helps people with sleep apnea.
(To dive deep into techniques that can help you calm your mind and sustain quality sleep, check out our no-nonsense guide to Buddhism and eastern philosophy here).
NOW READ: Try this simple technique to fall asleep in 30 seconds or less
