The best side to sleep on is generally the left side, as it aids digestion, reduces acid reflux, improves circulation, and is highly recommended during pregnancy, while side sleeping overall is great for breathing issues and spinal alignment; however, the right side might be better for some with heart conditions, and personal comfort always matters.
Sleeping on your left side is thought to have the most benefits to your overall health. In this position, your organs are freer to get rid of toxins while you sleep. Still, either side can offer benefits in terms of sleep apnea and chronic lower back pain relief.
The healthiest sleeping position often depends on individual needs, but side sleeping (especially the left side) is generally favored for reducing back/neck pain, aiding digestion (acid reflux), improving circulation, and helping with sleep apnea by keeping airways open, while back sleeping is great for spinal alignment but can worsen snoring and reflux. Stomach sleeping is usually discouraged due to neck and back strain.
Improved Circulation & Vascular Health
Healthy circulation prevents blood from pooling in your veins, descreasing your risk for spider veins. But that's not all: when you sleep on your left side, you take pressure off your body's largest vein, the Vena Cava, located on the right side of your body.
Sleeping on your front is considered unhealthy because it can inhibit breathing and cause irregular curvature of the spine.
Sleep quality and regeneration
In addition, sleeping on the right side may worsen breathing, especially for people with sleep apnea or snoring. Studies have shown that changing sleep position to the left side can reduce the frequency of sleep apnea episodes by improving airflow through the airways.
The 3-2-1 sleep rule is a simple wind-down routine: stop eating and drinking alcohol 3 hours before bed, stop working/mentally stimulating activities 2 hours before, and turn off screens (phones, TVs) 1 hour before sleep, helping you transition to rest by reducing stimulants and preparing your mind and body. It's often part of a larger 10-3-2-1-0 rule, which also adds no caffeine 10 hours prior and no hitting snooze (0) in the morning.
People with heart failure often experience shortness of breath that worsens when they sleep on their left side, Salas said, leading many to prefer their right.
Many snorers only snore, or are worse, when sleeping on their backs. If this is the case, try to train yourself to sleep on your side and use pillows to keep this position.
While it might look a little strange, sleeping with a pillow between your knees can be excellent for your sleep health. From back pain relief to better sleep posture, an extra pillow for your legs has tons of benefits for side sleepers. Plus, it's downright comfortable.
To 100% fall asleep, combine a consistent schedule, a cool, dark room, and a wind-down routine (no screens, relaxing activities like deep breathing or hot baths) to calm your mind and body, using techniques like the 4-7-8 breath or military method if you're still awake, and get up to do something boring if you can't sleep after 15 minutes to break the anxiety cycle.
Research indicates that back sleepers who sleep with their legs straight experience more pressure in the lower back. Those who sleep with their knees bent change the position of their pelvis, which lengthens the lower back and creates more space between the vertebrae.
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Sleeping on your left side can also keep pressure off your internal organs. Staying your left side can also help move waste through the colon while sleeping. Stomach and gastric juices are also lower than your esophagus, which can reduce digestive issues and heartburn.
Right-Side Sleeping: Often the Safest for the Heart
Recent studies suggest that sleeping on the right side may be more comfortable for patients with heart failure or palpitations. This position places the heart higher than the rest of the body, reducing strain and making breathing easier.
Right side sleeping has assorted benefits for heart health, such as reducing pressure on the area and making it easier to breathe. This can help those suffering from heart complications get a more restful night sleep. It can also prevent symptoms and discomfort from getting worse.
Foods That May Worsen Snoring
Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these positions, it's easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
Well, doctors often suggest sleeping elevated to help with problems like snoring or heartburn. It's also handy for helping your muscles recover after a good workout. This fancy technique even has a medical name—it's called inclined bed therapy.
Common symptoms of heart attack while sleeping
Chest pain: You will be suddenly jolted awake. Shortness of breath: You feel as if you can't catch your breath. Cold sweats: Sudden cold sweating for no apparent reason.
The unhealthiest sleeping position is generally considered to be sleeping on your stomach (prone position), as it forces your neck to twist and flattens the natural curve of your spine, leading to neck, back, and shoulder pain, numbness, and poor sleep quality. An overly curled fetal position is also harmful, causing joint stiffness and restricted breathing, while sleeping on your back can worsen snoring and sleep apnea for some individuals.
Right-side sleeping: Can reduce pressure on the heart and improve circulation for people with heart failure. Back sleeping with a pillow under knees: Helps maintain spine alignment and reduces strain on the heart. Using supportive pillows: Helps relieve pressure on the chest and shoulders while lying on either side.
Depending on one's age and individual needs, the National Sleep Foundation (USA) states that adults need seven to nine hours of good quality sleep per night to remain healthy and alert. School-age children require between nine and eleven hours, while older adults may need only seven to eight.
In his piece, he revealed that through his years of research, he's found that rumination is the biggest thing that causes poor sleep. He says that being worried about something at night has affected his own ability to fall asleep.