There are all sorts of sleeping positions, but the most common is sleeping on your side. You might have invested in the best pillow for side and back sleepers, but you may still wonder if you’re in the optimal position. So, if you want to know what happens to your body while sleeping on your side, keep reading and discover all there is to know.
Reduction Of Pain
Firstly, when you sleep on your side, you should notice that you aren’t in as much pain as when you sleep on your front or back. This is because side sleeping ensures that your spine is correctly aligned, which prevents the pain from occurring in the first. It’s a good idea to sleep on your side if you experience back or neck pain, as it keeps them in a neutral position throughout the night. Pain can make it unbearable to sleep at night, but studies have shown that people with chronic pain can see a huge reduction in it when sleeping in this position. So, when you sleep on your side, and your spine is aligned, your body will experience much less pain.
Better Gut Health
While side sleeping is great, you can break it down even further. Sleeping on your left side is better for you than your right. This is because the position of your stomach is on the left side of your body, so sleeping opposite to it can cause stomach acid to leak up into your oesophagus. This can easily cause your sleep to be disturbed by acid reflux, and you may dread going to bed at night. However, if you simply roll onto your left side, you’ll be able to stop the acid from travelling back up. This is because when lying on your left side, your stomach is in a downward position, so gravity helps to keep your acid where it needs to be. This can help to improve your digestion as well. So, not only can it stop your acid reflux at night, but it can also boost your gut health for the long term.
Easier Breathing
Lots of people snore, but did you know that how you sleep can play a big role in why you do it in the first place? Sleeping on your back forces your tongue to catch in the back of your throat, making breathing difficult. However, if you lay on your side, your neck and chin are kept at the correct angle, ensuring your tongue stays where it needs to be. This helps keep your airways clear of any obstructions and allows you to sleep well each night without snoring. So, if you find that you snore quite a bit, try rolling onto your side, and you’ll soon notice the difference (as will the person you share your bed with).
Sleeping on your side is a great way to ensure you look after your body while resting. This is because it’s the easiest position to keep your spine aligned and free from pain. So, if you want to enhance your quality of sleep and take care of your body at night, be sure to start sleeping on your side. The benefits it can bring will be astounding.
