According to some studies, the position in which we sleep is crucial in our lives. Some of these positions help improve our health.
Depending on how we position our body, we can either intensify our rest, facilitate the normal development of our functions and organs, and feel completely relaxed.
Up, down, right or left?
The Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology recently published an article in which Dr. John Doulliard, thanks to several studies, mentions that when we sleep on the left side of the body we promote lymphatic drainage in our body. The lymph transports the elements that must be filtered by the lymph nodes, and it is through the left side that the body finally processes them.
Similarly, sleeping on the left side of the body helps the digestive system to function properly. This means that we have a better production of gastric juices and that the secretion of pancreatic enzymes occurs without much effort. In general terms, the digestive system has a calmer process and its development occurs at a favorable time, but less quickly than when sleeping in other positions.
Other benefits for the body that come from sleeping on the left side directly relate to the proper functioning of the heart. This vital muscle is located in this area of the body; in fact, it occupies more than 80% of the upper left side of our body.
The aorta leaves the heart and finally leads to the abdomen, taking an arched shape that is predominant towards the left side; that is why its normal transit occurs on that side. Now, while all this happens, our heart continues to pump blood, but it does so in a simpler way because when we sleep on the left side we are located in its territory.
On the other hand, we must take into account that the spleen is also located on the left side of our body. This organ plays a very important role in the digestive, lymphatic, and immune systems. Therefore, when a person gets used to sleeping in this position, they are helping the body to send its natural fluids to the spleen so that it can carry out its work in an appropriate manner.
Getting used to sleeping on your left side
We are often unaware of the positions we adopt when sleeping. It also happens that throughout the night we change position and wake up in a completely different position than when we went to bed.
What we do notice, on many occasions, is that we wake up with muscle pain or feeling heavy and slow. Perhaps if we paid more attention to our sleeping position, we would notice great benefits in our daily lives.
It is also very important to be aware of the position that the body adopts during naps. These short periods of sleep generally occur after eating at midday. Therefore, a bad posture can result in digestive difficulties of various kinds.
You don’t have to sleep an entire nap, much less an entire night, on your left side. It just needs to be your predominant position. Perhaps you intuitively know this and you try to rest on that side. But if not, it’s simply a matter of changing a habit. The conviction that this position can help you improve your health is the best incentive to try to adopt this healthy habit.
Your body will thank you for helping it work the right way. And remember that being healthy will always make you feel a little happier.