In This Article
The Healthiest Way to Sleep
According to Ayurveda, it’s best to sleep on your left side. The left side of the body is completely different than the right side. While I know it may sound strange, there is both time-tested wisdom and exciting new science that emphasizes the left side for rest, sleep, and very real health and longevity benefits.
How You Sleep Matters
A Stony Brook University study suggests how you sleep could reduce your chances of developing cognitive concerns later in life.1
The study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, found that the way a person’s body is positioned while they sleep could affect the brain’s waste clearance system, also known as the glymphatic system. While we sleep, toxic substances are flushed from the brain through tiny lymphatic vessels called glymphatics. The brain releases around three pounds of toxic chemicals and plaque each year.
The scientists used rodents to test how different sleep positions affect this process and found that lying on your side while you sleep may be the most efficient position for flushing toxic substances out from the brain through the glymphatics.
The study found that rodents sleeping in the lateral position cleared certain proteins about 25 percent more than when they slept on their backs or stomachs. These proteins may contribute to the build-up of brain plaque, strongly linked to age-related cognitive decline.
Further studies on humans still need to be done to confirm these findings. Fortunately, most people find sleeping on their side most comfortable.
Read more articles on lymph health here.
We Recommend 3 Ways to Cleanse Your Brain Lymph
Lymph Drains Toward the Left
Interestingly, the left side of the body is the dominant lymphatic side. Seventy-five percent of the body’s lymph fluid drains into the thoracic duct, which drains into the left side of the heart, left internal jugular vein, and left subclavian vein.3 Along the way, lymph fluid carrying proteins, glucose, other metabolites, and waste products is cleansed and then drained into the left side of the heart.
This is why it’s common in Ayurveda to deduce that left-side ailments may be due to chronic lymphatic congestion. When the lymphatic system congests, it is more likely that lymph will back up on the more lymph-dominant side of the body (the left). While this is not always the case, you can see the Ayurvedic logic at play here.
In the same Ayurvedic vein, issues that show up on the right side are thought to be due to imbalances in the liver and blood. Since the liver is on the right side of the body, liver congestion will more easily back up into the right side of the body and potentially cause problems.
According to Ayurveda, congestion happens in the body according to a certain pattern, or priority system. In this system, lymph is the first detox system to congest, before the liver and blood become overwhelmed.
Thus, early lymph issues may present more on the left side and move to the right as they become more long-standing and begin to congest the liver and blood, at which point symptoms may start to show up on the right side.
7 Reasons to Sleep on Your Left Side
- Facilitates lymphatic drainage from your brain
- Makes it easier for the heart to pump downhill
- Better elimination
- Supports healthy spleen function
- Encourages proper digestion
- Helps circulation back to the heart
- Helps bile flow more freely
Better Elimination
The small intestine dumps waste through the ileocecal valve (ICV) on the right side of the body into the beginning of the large intestine. The large intestine travels up the right side of the belly across the tummy, where it dumps waste into the descending colon on the left side.
Sleeping on the left side allows gravity to encourage food waste to move more easily from the small intestine into the large intestine through the ICV.
As the night wears on and you continue to sleep on your left side, waste moves more easily into the descending colon. With the help of gravity and a good night’s sleep on the left side, the descending colon is full of waste and ready to easily and completely eliminate in the morning.
Better Heart Function
Of course, one of the biggest players on the left side is the heart. It makes sense that if you sleep on your left side, lymph drainage toward the heart will, again, be helped by gravity, taking some of the workload off of the heart as you sleep.
The aorta, the biggest artery in the body, leaves the top of the heart and arches to the left before it heads down into the abdomen. By sleeping on the left side, the heart is pumping its biggest payload downhill into the descending aorta.
Sleeping on the left also allows much of the intestines to hang away from the very thin-walled inferior vena cava (IVC), which brings venous blood back toward the heart. Interestingly, the IVC lies against the right side of the spine, so when you lie on the left, much of the viscera falls away from the IVC. Here again, gravity is just making the heart’s job a little easier.
Supports a Healthy Spleen
The spleen, part of the lymphatic system, is also on the left. The spleen is much like a gigantic lymph node, except that in addition to filtering lymph, it also filters blood. When you lay on the left side, drainage back to the spleen is once again made easier by gravity.
Remember, the lymph system drains all the cells in the body via movement and muscular contractions, rather than being pumped by the heart. Helping the lymph to drain to the spleen and heart with gravity is a good thing!
Ever Feel Sleepy after a Big Meal?
A common practice in Ayurveda is to rest on the left side after a meal.
Unlike a siesta, where the whole afternoon is taken off, Ayurveda suggests a short, 10-minute rest on the left side to help the body properly digest.
The stomach and the pancreas (which make digestive enzymes) hang like slings on the left side. When you lie on the left side, the stomach and pancreas hang naturally, allowing for optimal and efficient digestion. The food is encouraged to move through the stomach naturally and the pancreatic enzymes are released as needed, rather than all at once, which might happen more easily than if you were on the right side with the pull of gravity.
If you lie on the right side, the stomach and pancreas will hang in a somewhat unnatural position, forcing them to empty their contents prematurely.
Meanwhile, the liver and gallbladder hang on the right side. Resting on the left side allows them to hang freely and secrete precious bile, with the help of gravity, into the digestive tract to emulsify fats and neutralize the acids of the stomach.
When the digestive process is encouraged in this way, it can often be a smoother and ultimately shorter digestive cycle that doesn’t leave you feeling sapped throughout the entire afternoon. By taking a short rest on the left side, you may actually save yourself from more fatigue throughout the day!
I have found that when I sleep on my left side, my bladder fills up more often and consequently I have to get up to go to the bathroom. So that’s why I have mainly slept on my right side for years. However, I want to enjoy the benefits of sleeping on my left side, so I am going to make the switch starting tonight!
Hi Dorothy,
If sleeping on your left side does not work for you, just lying on your left side for 10 minutes shortly after a large meal can be very beneficial.
Like !
Thanks so much for this article, I remember when I was pregnant I was told to sleep on my left side. I am going to try it again. Please ignore the negative people. They have nothing else to do.
Thanks again! Dee
Oh yes! I was also advised the same, but I thought it was just a preggy thing. And when my child was born, and decided on breastfeeding, i was advised to always feed my child with my left first before the right one.
But I know all what you said about is true for right side not for left side ?!
That’s cool!✌?️
Interesting. THANKS!!
I must do a free commercial. I take a Pepcid Complete just before getting in bed, lay on my left side and NEVER have acid reflux. Sometimes when l get up for a potty break, i then lay on my right side, BUT I WAKE UP WITH MY MOUTH OPEN AS IN SLEEP APNEA, so back to the left side. Also first thing upon arising is the waste elimination, as Dr, said.
Ouch get off that terrible medication and hire a practitioner to help you understand how dangerous that substance is!
Mouth breathing contributes to dementia as we need to activate the parasympathetic nervous system by breathing hey the nose in our practice we teach all about this! My dad just died in early 70s and never breathed out of his nose
Had TONZ of sinus surgeries
The CPAP and major medical management ! We save clients thousands of dollars by educating and placing them on healing protocols
Manyany blessings for healing your way ???
http://Www.nutritionalfix.com
Fixing the issues in your tissues!
My great grandmother, and her daughter , my grandmother , always said to sleep on the left side. My grandmother explained why. It took a long time to convince my husband of this. When he was diagnosed with Crohns he listened. I’ve noticed that his Gerd happens to be 99% worse when he sleeps on his back.
I’m so blessed to have known all four of my great grandparents so well. Truly blessed my grandmother to have had a grandmother explain things to me.
From time to time I suffer from poor lymph drainage, usually when it’s very hot/summer or when I sit/drive for extended periods, and my left foot swells at the ankle with pitting oedema above the ankle; my body’s not eliminating fluids correctly. When I sleep, particularly on my left side, it may mean I have to empty my bladder 3-4 times each night, but that means those fluids are being eliminated, which is a Good Thing! I awake with nice, skinny ankles (and then the whole thing starts again).
awesome
Mine does too and I don’t feel sick anymore
I find it extremely difficult to sleep on my left side because I have a old shoulder injury if I lay on it to long it will start to get very stiff what should I do
if you can’t lie on your left side long a 10 minute little rest on your left side will be beneficial to aid in digestion and a lot of other benefits
I will try this after eating…big problem w/reflux at night.
Coral calcium stops acid reflux. Worked for my husband and his brother.
honestly the fact that you’re having to urinate more often on your left side could have to do with the fact that your body is digesting more frequently and efficiently, therefore emptying waste more frequently.
I notice that as soon as I lay on my RIGHT side it makes me fart. It feels good, and is a nice relief. For any who are seeking to get some extra tension out before sleep, I highly recommend taking a moment on your RIGHT side before allowing yourself to drift off each night.
Laying on your left side can encourage your food to make its way through your bowels. Saying that laying on you left side “promotes digestion” is misleading and riddiculous. That would be like saying that the fact that a river flows allows a deer to drink water from it. Yes, the river flowing ensures that there is water to drink, but does not promise that a deer can or will drink from it. Exactly in the same way helping to move your food through your bowels cannot ensure proper digestion and so using the buzz statement “encourages proper digestion” gives the reader no real knowledge of what “laying on your left side” actually helps and makes you look like you dont actually know what you’re talking about.
Im aware that you explain it later but that buzz statement is still silly. It makes me want to run from your post before i can get to the part where you tell us what the hay you actually meant. Since I hold firm that the two are not equal.
Running is also very good for our systems. . .
Your a tool.
Hey, He has valid points. If you’re going to say he’s a tool, at least provide WHY you think he’s a tool. You can only have an opinion when it’s an informed opinion.
And proper grammar would be nice, too. “you’re a tool”
Bob, did you mean to say “lying” on your left side…” I can “lay” my body down to sleep, but I would still be “lying” down in the process. It’s kind of like “encourages digestion.” The author uses “lie” correctly here, and I agree that simple word errors can be significant. Be well. 😉
Get of the grammar song and dance. Read what he had to say i am a lie lay on my lefy side have for younks
Have to admit that everything that this article says in here is correct for me..What a coincidence that I would have Gastro problems for about 30 years and while not really overweight I have “Naturally” noticed how leaning, sleeping,resting on my left helps me in many ways..I once had major problems on my left from a Spontaneous Pneumothorax that required surgery on the left side..I am so grateful to be able to return to the left side!! For over 20 years I had sharp pains and breathing difficulties on the left side… I am so blessed to return to this position..you would never know unless you lived my life and walked in my shoes…to be able to breath on left..rest on left..and after eating be resting on the left….You may suffer from a jaundiced viewpoint on this subject..I don’t..
left side lying position does prevent gas buildup in your bowel system! In fact digestion is better when lying on the left side! any gastroenterologist will agree!!!
The old saying is is if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all thank you!!
As does your spelling of the word “ridiculous” in your reply. If you’re going to take the time to criticize someone for their words, at least spell check your own.
I’m sorry, I don’t follow.
Don’t believe that I believe it’s easier to get hurt sleeping on your left ,I remember physic attacks began happening to me ,6 years ago when I was told to sleep on my left side . I was also told that that’s the side that hold our secrets .
Psychic attacks, secrets? From laying a certain way? Seriously? That’s pure ridiculous superstition.
Yes. Empowering superstitions is a surefire way to make oneself weak, and fearful. I suggest empowering oneself, and stepping out from one’s personal shadows.
thats a joke
Don’t know exactly what secrets but I was thought so by the old folks .
I usually sleep on my right side because it opens up my left nasal passage which seems to be congested a lot, do you know why that is? I do notice that sleeping on the left side , I wake up feeling better just more congested on the left side, going to try sleeping on the left side more if it has more benefits.
I have exactly the same situation. I always go to sleep on my right side, but wake up on my left.
Laurence says: Consult your chiropractor, if you have one. That’s what I did with positive results.
elevate your head
put vaporizer in your bedroom and it woll clear your airway passages
Laurence, perhaps you have a deviated septum. An ENT specialist would be able to let you know whether you do or not.
When i sleep left side i feel pain and feel little bit suffocation and cough
Sweet pea if that’s the case you may want to see your doctor. That could be a sign of something being wrong.
Its actually not normal and sounds like a mucus and possibly allergy problem. You could have fluid in your lungs and just happen to notice it more while on that side. Just a thought.
I get a sharp pain in my rib cage right below my left breast when I sleep on my left side as well as sleeping on my back. Any ideas about that?
Could be a tumor. Better check that out.
Your pain may be caused by the beating of your heart again your rib cage. I have a slim body frame, and when I sleep on my left side, I feel a pounding pain between my left nipple and left armpit. I then see bruising on the outside surface of my chest in same region. Interestingly, the skin discoloration from the bruise has a tendency to migrate an inch or two from its original position on my chest over several weeks before it vanishes completely. Insufficient room in your chest cavity may be due to skeletal shape or having particularly large organs. An enlarged heart can be due to genetics, illness, elevated blood pressure, physical conditioning and age.
It’s probably costocondriitis. Just a condition that makes the cartilage in your rib cage swell. I have it. It’s from allergies.
Are you overweight?
Do you have sleep apnea?
have uou been Diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure?
last few year I have been waking up with plain in left eye. Even my friend told me that something wrong with my eye. I went to 2 eye doctors and my regular doctor and have it checked. Everyone said there is nothing wrong, but I feel pain almost everyday. From last few months I forced my self on my back or right side and I noticed no pain or less pain in my left eye when I wake up. Doctors can’t explain why.
I am from India and I do remember my dad telling me about sleeping on left side and how it helps.
However, I can’t sleep on left side to avoid plain in left eye. Let me know if you have any suggestion.
Thanks
I can’t explain why your eye does that it is a bit strange. But perhaps a nerve problem that reacts to you laying on that side? Or possibly something behind it? Or maybe something with the muscles that makes it sit funny when you lay on that side? Those are my best ideas (really hope nothings behind it and kinda doubt it but it happens). But if you want to continue laying on your left side I may have a couple ideas to try. You could try them together or try them apart or not at all. You could try putting a body pillow behind you on the right side and use it to prop you somewhat onto your left side but still somewhat be on your back. If you’re a snuggler this may not work and you might just turn around and hug it while you sleep. You could also try laying on your left side but keeping your head turned upright. Using special pillows could aid in this as well. It may take some practice and getting it just right but it could be useful. They may not be fool proof but they may help.
Hi Nay,
It is ,of course, impossible to suggest that the left side sleeping is best for every condition.
It sounds like a circulation block that is causing pressure to build in your eye. I would get it checked out.
I would suggest Ayurvedic therapies for the head such as:
Nasya
Brahmi Brain
Bacopa
Shiro abyhanga
Shirodhara
Shiro Abyhanga Nasya
Hope this helps .
Be well,
Dr. John
When I sleep on my left side my left arm and hand fall asleep (pins and needles),how can I stop that from happening?
I bet I know why.. and this is just from my own experience of having pain in my eye when waking.. from your description of saying you started to sleep on your back or right side.. means you slept on your left right? Well that probably means while on that side your head was turned into the pillow and your eye socket was touching the pillow.. just a guess.. and when this happens sometimes the pillow pushes into the eyelid cause the pillow to touch the eye ball and dry it out.. .. This has happened to me and it is painful..feels like something is in it for hours.. I think it’s just really dry. It happens a lot to me when I wear an eye mask that has a pillowy bump..not the really flat kind inside..this mask has a little pillowy bump at the bottom of it..that sometimes goes into my eyes and causes the pain after a while.. so that’s my best guess and from your description and such I bet it is the reason.. your eye on the left was touching the pillow while you were sleeping..and drying out. and even once you lubricate it it will still hurt for a while afterwards..
Maybe your pillow is pushing against your left eyeball all night. Make sure your eye is clear of the pillow when you sleep on your left side.
Don’t lie flat when you sleep! elevate head on 2 pillows and see if that helps
Regarding pain at the left eye: I had excruciating pain all around the left eye, and no doctors could
diagnose or fix it. I myself believed it resulted from a terrible injury to my left knee. My left knee was damaged, so I favored my right and climbed stairs etc with increased strength from the right side of my body. This ruined my body alignment and had my spine twisted or drawn right, pulling on the nerves running from my left neck,up around my left eye. The nerves on that left side were so pulled it made it feel like my left eye was going to pop out. I went to a chiropractor for a year and once I was aligned and more balanced in strength, the eye pain left.
I’m up at 2am dealing with acid reflux because I didn’t sleep on my left side tonight.
I have suffered with acid reflux since I was in my teens. I read an article about 8 months ago that talked about the benefits of sleeping on the left side, and it stated that sleeping this way helps reduce acid reflux. I had tried everything else, so I figured why not try this. Long story short, that was the end of my acid reflux.
I used to have to watch what I ate before going to bed, and make sure I ate at least 4 hours in advance. Now, I can lie down right after I eat as long as I lay on the left side.
This past evening, I ate a heavy meal, drank plenty of fluids and went to sleep on my stomach!!! Now I’m up suffering.
I’m a firm believer (and walking testimony) to the benefits of sleeping on the left side.
Had to battle with acid reflux for about a mth…. Various visits to doctor various tests…. All normal but the pain as been very intense… Slept on my left side last night feel so much better.. Well….. Less pain will continue to sleep all week on the left to see the outcome.
start taking 2 tlb of cider vinegar twice a day and within three days you will be better
left is best!
Hi
I am from the country of origin of Ayurveda. These methods are chosen by a long time observation performed by Ayurvedic practitioners. I too have acid reflux problem which is easily handled by using the above method beleive me I have tried alopathic medicine for 8 years. This process have no side effects, its totally free and useful. Try it for 10 minutes.
I’ve been suffering from acid reflux and non-acid reflux for sometime now. It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. No prescription pill works for me. I’m having an endoscopy next week, hopefully to find out what’s causing this. I read an article about the benefits of sleeping on the left side and I tried it last night. I had minimal reflux and was able to get a pretty decent night’s sleep so THANK YOU Dr. Douillard for giving me a bit of hope!!!
try childrens TUMS
i use one and no problems all night
If TUMS don’t do the job, try drinking a glass of water with a teaspoon of baking soda. Eat chocolate sparingly.
Try DGL, it not only soothes stomach problems but it heals ulcers and helps with acid reflux and other stomach problems…it’s the best natural remedy there is…I swear by it…
Try drinking a glass of water with a 1/ 2 tsp. of baking soda every morn. This completely eliminated my gastric reflux
This was GREAT ! I’d like to sign-up for your news letters. Thanks Ed
Thanks for the positive feedback! You can sign up for the newsletter here…
https://lifespa.com/newsletter-signup/
Indeed it works,I suffered a minor stroke 2years back,on my ryt side n i commonly feel ice cold on my leg n tired when I sleep but I usually wake up sleeping on the very same std or my back
Thanks for sharing Dr
Sincere
Tmash
For a long time I was a left side sleeper. Then I suffered a skull fracture on the left side. And for years I could not sleep on that side. It was extremely difficult to break sleeping on the left as it “hurt” my head. Equally it took a long time to get back to sleeping on the left side
I would love to sleep on my sleep side, as I used to years ago, but have a frozen left shoulder. It’s also hard to sleep on my right side as the gravity pulls said shoulder down making it ache. For years now I’ve been sleeping on my back, which I now realise is not good and has increased by breathing problems. But it’s the only position which gives me comfort and some sleep at night. Sleeping on my tummy is also bad for my dodgy neck. Any suggestions?
I have found myself of late laying on my left side watching movies and mini series. Sometimes for hours in a day. Now unfortunately my left hip is so sore and have a rather bad pain in my left groin area. Sometimes it’s very painful just to bend my left leg when going up steps or to get into my car. Have I damaged something by laying on my left side like that for hours on end. I’m really concerned and wondering if I have damaged my hip.
Sann Martinho I know your post was a year ago but I have to reply to it. I damaged the =scarum area of my spine in a fall many years ago and have experienced what you’ve experienced for a year now. Though on my right side. I can tell you and others that may find this comment section your problems are caused by a slippage of the vertebrates in your sacrum area. If you have a Chiropractor, consult with him. He can and will fix your problem. Hot baths, not a heating pad, will also help him, help you.
Sann Martino and Don Loomis — I currently have exactly the pains in hip and groin areas that you speak of. And yes, worse in certain positions like sitting and also going from sitting to standing, etc. I also have two herniated disks at L4-L5 and L5-S1 dating back to the mid 1990s.
So Ii have no choice but to avoid sleeping on left side. And my cardiologist and all I’ve read about heart issues says sleep on RIGHT side. Each side has its benefits and drawbacks as does sleeping right on the back.
We have to pick and choose what’s correct for each of us.
I was always told laying on your left side squeezes your heart, is that true?
I notice numerous sites referring to heart issues and sleeping on your left side, some very prominent medical sites……it’s a valid question that should be addressed particularly with reference to AFIB.
So, If you have heart conditions, sleep apnea,GERD and curvature of your spine
due to AS, ankylosing spondylitis and cannot sleep on your stomach, you’re out of luck……
no
I am much more comfortable and prefer sleeping on my left side. But I’ve noticed that almost instantly I get unbearable pains in my abdomen. What could be the cause of this
gas buildup
I am 85 years old and have suffered from nightly indigestion and elimination problems for as long as I can remember.
Since sleeping on left side for last 4 weeks I feel better than I have in years.
No more getting up at night to take antacids.
Elimination every morning comes naturally and effortlessly.
Hi Dominick, this is great news! Thanks for reading and be well.
Dr. John
Sleeping on my left has always helped me to pass gas.
I remember being told to sleep on my left side when i was pregnant. Now I am heavier in life so sleeping on my back is out of the question- as my breathing is compromised. I for whatever reason have always defaulted to sleeping on my left. It is nice to know that there are some real advantages to sleeping on my left.
Lose some weight?
Ever since I was a kid I can always remember getting this very sharp pain in my rib cage right below my left breast any time I sleep on my left side or on my back. It’s like a knife sticking in my rib cage. Anybody have this problem?
It’s probably trapped gas, for whatever reason. You have to roll over onto your right side and or get up and move around, or massage it and your abdominal regions to try to work it through.
Your pain may be caused by the beating of your heart again your rib cage. I have a slim body frame, and when I sleep on my left side, I feel a pounding pain between my left nipple and left armpit. I then see bruising on the outside surface of my chest in same region. Interestingly, the skin discoloration from the bruise has a tendency to migrate an inch or two from its original position on my chest over several weeks before it vanishes completely. Insufficient room in your chest cavity may be due to skeletal shape or having particularly large organs. An enlarged heart can be due to genetics, illness, elevated blood pressure, physical conditioning and age.
Sleeping n my left has been wonderful for many years until lately I cough at night when sleeping on my left. So I sleep on my right. But this is not normal, right?
I haven’t specifically heard of coughing be related to sleeping on the left side. It may just be a temporary thing for you. Try having a large glass of water before you go to sleep!
Congestive Heart Failure?
See your Dr!
Left side of your heart has fluid overload which causes you to cough!!!
Great article
Great info… Thanks for shring
I used to lie on my left side only earlier. But I had some 15 years back read that lying on the left side puts pressure on our heart since the heart is on the left side and it may cause heart/ coronary problems. I therefore switched over to lying on the right side. I am confused as to which is the correct information.
what are the studies supporting that ?
I always like a good idea, and would love to sleep on my left side more often. But for me, when I sleep on my right side, my left nostril flows nicely, good airflow, etc, and I can sleep well. But on my left side, the right nostril seems constricted. I can breath through it, but I have to make a conscious effort to ‘flare’ it open, so to speak, to ‘open up’ the air passageway. After a while, I get tired of having to do that, obviously not sleeping, then I have to breathe through the mouth, and its back to the right side.
So every night, all night, I sleep either on my back or right side, and only on the left sometimes early in the morning just for the change of position.
I have had gastric bypass. Does sleeping on your left side still ring true?
I cant fall asleep unless I sleep on my left side. Is that normal or is there something wrong with me?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be up on him) says, we have to sleep on the right side. After I take food I lay on my left side to watch/read something in my notebook, but when I am going to sleep I sleep on the right side.
I saw a science program on PBS a few years ago that showed speeded-up videos of sleepers, photographed by a camera above the bed. They all changed position frequently. I often wake up sleeping on a different side from the side on which I fell asleep.
Most of the sculptures of the Buddha laying down show him on his right side, as if there some advantage to having lucid visions/dreams when laying on the right side. This seems to be a contradiction but there must be an explanation for this.
Dear John, Interesting article. Thanks. What about the fact that sleeping on the left side activates the solar channel? For those that are pitta predominant, have high pitta, or have trouble sleeping, sleeping on the right can activate the lunar channel thereby cooling the body and encouraging sleep. Your thoughts?
I’ve always done a ‘left side lay down’ after eating. But I thought you were supposed to sleep on your right side, because that opens up the left nostril, encouraging rest and relaxation (vs. left side which opens the right nostril, more active, helping digestion). I also thought sleeping on the right side took pressure off the heart, which is on the left.
I’m still confused about the nostrils thing, but your article is powerful and I’ll try to change my sleeping patterns.
Yes I had the same question because of the nadis. Eg I have always learned in a Hatha yoga practice, when coming out of savasana, you lie on your right for a few breaths to encourage coolness of the mind. And a general more restful quality.
Lauren Walker, Exactly! Agreed, especially about pressure off of heart comment. You are correct. I know this as factual because of experience! Bravo to you.
I hope the person running this site doesn’t erase my 5 comments just because they said something and I disagreed with them!
Please, could I know in which journal you have published your research on this?
This person is giving you anectdotal evidence. In other words their personal experience. There is no formal research.
Agreed…Anecdotal is correct because ultimately each of us are different and as I stated above, it makes my heart symptoms WORSE to lay on left side.
Agree with Teresa: Heart specialist told me the same thing AND I am not comfortable at all sleeping on left side. It’s bad for my horrible back, in the first place, and gives me abdominal pains too. I will switch back and forth from sleeping on right side to sleeping ON my back, which works well for me.
The references are listed above at the end of his article if you care to look them up
The ONLY relief I get from gastric pain after eating (despite taking enzymes and eating “healthy” foods) is by lying on my right side. I do not suffer from heartburn or reflux – only one time when I took some betaine HCl tablets did I ever suffer heartburn, so I don’t take betaine HCl! I do have some gallbladder-pancreas issues. Seems food just blows up in me -some days I’m fine but others it’s just horrible – and it’s trapped gas that has to work its way out, and the only way it seems to be able to get untrapped is if I lie on my right side. Lying on the left side makes it worse. What does this mean? I’m vegetarian and a very health-conscious eater. I rotate back and forth to either side at night and sometimes one side aids in gas relief better than the other, but it varies. I guess it depends where the gas gets trapped in your gut?
I cannot sleep on my left side because it makes my heart skip and makes chest pain worse. I have a heart murmur, an arrythmia, mitral valve prolapse AND a bruit in my left carotid artery. The cardiologist told me years ago NOT to lay on my left side because of your heart being more to the left than the right. He knew what he was talking about apparently because it definitely adversely affects me! So, I will stick with what’s best for me. Each person has different bodily functions/issues so they (Ones who wrote article) shouldn’t advise ALL people to do the same as all other people. Who knows who might be negatively affected by pressing down on their heart area…
Thanks so very much, I am trying to get my mom to sleep on the left side. She always sleeps on the right side. She is 96yrs young!
I have been advised to sleep on my left side. To cure a backache and heartburn. Thanks for listing down all these amazing benefits.
So my question is, if I don’t sleep on my left side, the lymphatic system won’t drain my brain properly? Or does it drain on both sides? I ask because I get very dizzy when I sleep on my left side due to Benign Positional Vertigo.
Go on You tube and try the Epley manoeuvre to alleviate BPPV, it worked for me.
I have the same problem, and the Eply maneuver exacerbates my difficulty.
Great stuff,
Thanks for sharing.
I am not replying to this post but trying to comment! My descending colon is on the RIGHT side of my body. For sure! I’ve looked at diagram after diagram and they are opposite to what I myself know I have. Furthermore, I eliminate best when lying on the right side. So… for other benefits I have taken to beginning the night sleeping on the left side, and around midnight or so, turn onto the right side. I get up very early. If I do this, I am helped. I can’t follow directions that do not help but I see I am in the distinct minority and did not even know it until by experience I noticed I can feel where my descending colon is, as it approaches the rectum. And experience proves the truth. I have to get used to be ‘different’ and won’t be going to any doctor for confirmation, God wiling.
Interesting. I’ve read that people get calm and into sleep easier when laying (in bed) on their left side. However for left handed people (like me) who have their brains flipped the calming effect occurs when laying on right side. I’m used to this and for me it works, i always drift into sleep when laying to the right. This article says it’s not good :/
Thanks for all the useful info. I have always liked sleeping on my left side. Will lie on my left side after eating to see how that helps as well.
Hi, I am replying here just to comment to clear my doubts hopefully.
Honestly, I went through the links cited below the article and did not see anywhere mentioned sleeping on the left side is beneficial, but just the lateral position.
Regarding colon and IC valve, I can not imagine how the waste is pushed from small intestine into colon using gravity just because the opposite may be happening since on your left side gravity will force the waste in small intestine to go left and not upwards against gravity going up right.
Can you (lifespa) comment please?
With kind regards
Koryun
Years ago I noticed the difference between laying on the left side vs. the right side. When I laid on my right side, I felt like my organs were being squished. Something wasn’t right so I normally slept on my right side. Didn’t happen every night so I knew it depended on what I was eating. So glad my intuition kept me on my right side and now I have supporting information that I was correct.
Please be so kind as to reference where in ayurvedic texts it’s recommended to sleep on the left side. Years ago I was on a 6 months course studying meditation, yoga, and vedic sciences, and the recommendation back then was to sleep on the right side…