Sleep on the Left Side

You may have been told to sleep on the left side of your body, as opposed to the right side. There are several reasons why this may have been told to you, depending on your actual health condition. In some situations, sleeping on just the left side can be bad for your heart or it can make sleep better by giving your body a better ability to function.

How you sleep is important to well long you sleep

Sleeping on your left side may be bad for your heart. This is especially true for those who are suffering from chronic heart failure or have had a heart attack. Sleeping on your left side will decrease the sympathetic nervous activity in your body. This activity normally controls blood pressure and the heart rate.

When lying on your right side, you may lower your blood pressure and heart rate, which is good for individuals suffering from heart conditions. Lying on the left side decreases your heart's ability to function properly.

Doctors don't fully understand why this happens, only that the heart is in a better position in the body when you lie on your right side rather than your left. There also has not been a lot of study on the benefits and whether everyone can benefit from this. Doctors recommend that patients with a heart condition, especially chronic heart failure try sleeping on their right side if it is comfortable for the patient.

During pregnancy your doctor may tell you to sleep on your left side, especially as the pregnancy lengthens. The reason for this is the position of your liver. When you sleep on your left side, you take the pressure from your uterus off the liver, since the liver is on the right side of your abdomen.

Women will see benefits of increased heart function by sleeping on the left side. The heart is able to pump blood better, which allows for better circulation of blood to the vital organs as well as the fetus and uterus. It can also be helpful in removing some of the strain on the back. Many women have trouble sleeping during pregnancy due to back pain, since the baby's weight is pushing against back.

Every individual is different when it comes to comfort while sleeping. If you are more comfortable when you sleep on the left side of your body, then go for it. On the other hand, there may be some times when it is just better for your body to sleep in a different position. Consider these tips on sleeping position:

• Sleep on the back: If comfortable for you, sleep on your back. Sleeping on your back keeps all of your internal organs in their natural position. Individuals with insomnia may find that sleeping on their backs improves their ability to sleep.
• Avoid the left: Whenever possible, avoid sleeping on the left side of your body. You place a lot of strain on the heart, as well as your lungs, stomach and liver. Some of these organs can press into the heart's region, making it even more difficult to work properly.
• Go for the right: If you cannot sleep on your back, sleep on the right side, so that the majority of your internal organs are in position and not pressing against the heart.
• Avoid the stomach: Sleeping on your stomach in any situation can be the worst for you. All of your internal organs are under pressure then, including your lungs which could struggle to breath normally. It can also cause some back problems and stiff necks.

Changing a sleep position may be difficult and may even cause problems for regulating a sleep pattern. If you are used to sleeping on your left side, it could take some time to get used to sleeping in another position. Comfort is always an important part of sleeping well, so find the position that is most comfortable for you, if you struggle with sleeping on your back or right side.

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