Almost 60 million Americans are affected by insomnia every year leading to serious health problems like stress, anxiety, depression, weight gain, poor cognitive abilities, lack of concentration and foggy brain. Of course, the list is endless. But!! Did you know even those who do get adequate sleep aren’t sleeping the right way.
Experts have long been advising why it is necessary to sleep in certain ways that does not harm your health. Position makes a lot of difference in the quality of sleep and the impact on your physiology. Sleeping in the wrong position could be the reason for back, shoulder and stomach pain, heartburn, even tiredness and all because you are sleeping on the right side. An established chiropractor now provides the best advice and information why you shouldn’t sleep on the right side.
Image Source: www.ytimg.com
Bloating and digestion problems could be the cause of many factors but among these, your sleeping position cannot be ruled out. Your pancreas and stomach are on the left side of the body so when you sleep on the left, it facilitates smooth and improved function. Your pancreatic juices restimulated to flow effectively that improves digestion.
Image Source: www.thehealthorange.com
Not many think about the lymph nodes taking these things for granted. Your lymph nodes are present in joints such as neck armpits and groin. The lymphatic system is dominant on the left side so sleeping on the left means you improve the function of toxin filtration and filtering of lymph fluid and waste.
Image Source: www.newzmagazine.com
The best way to ensure you are sleeping either on your back or the left side is to sleep against a pillow placed behind you on the right so that you don’t turn over onto your right side.
Image Source: www.testedexercises.com
Now picture what could be going on inside your body when you sleep on the right? Both these two organs are under pressure. After you retire, the undigested toxins in your body make their way from your small intestines to the large intestine. From here they make their way into your colon from which they are eliminated through bowel movements. Sleeping on the left helps smooth passage of this process. Experts feel that after a heavy meal if you nap on the left side, it will improve digestion of the meal providing you faster energy.
Image Source: www.metdaan.com
As you know, your heart is located on the left of your body which is a big reason to sleep on the left so that your heart is in a supported position. In this position, even circulation improves where there is improved blood flow to your heart. Sleeping on the left prevents any stress and pressure on the heart.
Image Source: www.thehealthflash.com
Pregnant women should sleep on their left side period. In that position, you get relieved from pressure on your back and improve blood flow to the uterus and your little fetus growing inside you. A common problem in pregnancy is spinal issues. This can be relieved when you sleep on the left side.
Sleeping on the left side increases nutrient flow to the placenta vital for the health of your baby. The ideal position for a pregnant woman to sleep in is on the left with a pillow between your knees that should be bent.
Image Source: www.wellroundedny.com
If you are keeping your partner awake with the incessant snoring, then try seeping on the left side because then your throat and tongue is in a neutral position. This clears the airways helping you to breathe effectively. If you are habituated in snoring, then sleeping on your back will only increase the problem because your throat muscles are pushed to the back of the throat.
Image Source: www.sleepheavn.com
Maintain the sync with your body’s sleep cycle by retiring to bed the same time every night. This regulates and sets your body clock. Quite often we never do this because of sleeping late which is dangerous for health because your sleep consists of various cycles including what is called deep sleep. Sleeping late means your deep sleep phase happens in the morning when it is daylight and when the atmosphere of a home isn’t conducive for sleep. This disrupts your sleep patterns and deprives your body f the rest it requires. Here are some effective but assured tips on insomnia
When you regulate your sleep, you won’t even need an alarm to wake up the same time each morning. Your body internal clock does that for you.
Image Source: www.kinja-img.com
The human body produces a hormone called melatonin which is also called the sleep hormone. The body produces more of this as night approaches signaling to your body it’s time for sleep. Darkness increases melatonin production while light decreases it. In the presence of light melatonin makes you alert instead which is why you should always decrease the brightness of your electronic gadgets and TV if you use them before sleeping.
Image Source: www.psmag.com
The food that you eat and drink during the day will impact how you sleep at night. Caffeine can even cause sleep problems 10-12 hours after it has been consumed. Dinner should be eaten at least 2 hours before you sleep especially if it is a spicy one. Spicy and acidic food can cause heartburn and when that happens, you just can’t sleep till you get relief.
Rather than a heavy dinner, you may want to try some of these foods to improve your mood which can also help you sleep better.
Image Source: www.muscleyourway.com
Perhaps the most common reason people can’t seem to sleep is because they have too much on their mind. The problems at work or home are enough to make your head burst in thought which stresses you out. Clearing your head of such problems is easier said than done which is why you need to de-stress yourself with calming activity such as a few yoga stretches for sleep and relaxation.
Try to manage your time efficiently without overstimulation of your brain during the day which impacts you with poor sleep at night. Now you know why you should sleep on your left side, try it every day to improve your health and better sleep.
Image Source: www.providr.com