That cozy right-side sleeping position you love might be working against your health. Science shows that how we position ourselves during sleep affects everything from digestion to heart function – and the right side comes with some surprising drawbacks.
One major issue involves your body’s waste removal system. The lymphatic system drains more effectively when you sleep left-side down. Choosing the right side instead can slow this process, potentially leading to morning puffiness and reduced toxin clearance.
Your heart also prefers you sleep on the left. The slight leftward tilt of your heart means right-side sleeping makes it work harder. While this might not trouble healthy individuals, people with heart conditions often find left-side sleeping more comfortable.
If you frequently wake up with heartburn, your sleep position could be to blame. Right-side sleeping allows stomach acid to flow back up more easily, while left-side sleeping helps keep acid where it belongs. This simple switch could mean the difference between restless nights and peaceful sleep.
Making the change to left-side sleeping might feel strange at first, but your body will thank you. Try hugging a pillow to make the new position more comfortable as you adjust.
