If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about the position you sleep in each night.

Picture this: after a long, tiring day filled with work, taking care of the kids, cooking dinner, putting everyone to bed, and maybe squeezing in a little time to relax with a good book or your favorite TV show, you’re barely hanging on by the time you crawl into bed. With just enough energy to turn out the lights, you fall asleep almost instantly.

Of course, everyone’s daily schedule is a little different, but I’d wager that for most of us, how we sleep isn’t something we put a lot of thought into. As long as we get enough rest to take on the next day’s challenges, does it really matter what position we sleep in?

Well, as it turns out, it might. While it’s no secret that our bodies do a lot of essential work while we’re getting those precious hours of sleep, you might not realize that your sleeping position could have a meaningful impact on your health. Something as seemingly insignificant as which side you sleep on could make a difference.

Most people have a favorite sleeping position—whether it’s lying on their back, their stomach, or one particular side. You might prefer curling up on your right side, stretching out on your left, or adopting the starfish position sprawled across the bed. But here’s something worth noting: research suggests that sleeping on your left side could come with a surprising number of health benefits. Let’s dive into what those are and why this position might deserve a second look.

1. Relief from nighttime heartburn
If you’ve ever dealt with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you know how uncomfortable it can be when heartburn strikes in the middle of the night. Sleeping on your left side can help alleviate this issue by keeping your stomach below the esophagus. This positioning reduces the chances of acid flowing back into the esophagus, making it a natural way to combat heartburn and help you sleep more peacefully.

2. Improved spleen and liver function
Your spleen plays a vital role in filtering impurities from your blood and supporting your immune system. Sleeping on your left side can enhance blood flow to this organ, allowing it to function more effectively. Additionally, because your liver is located on the right side of your body, sleeping on your left side reduces pressure on the liver, promoting better detoxification and helping your body process toxins more efficiently.

3. Benefits for pregnant women
For expectant mothers, left-side sleeping isn’t just a suggestion—it’s often recommended by experts. According to the Sleep Foundation, this position improves circulation, making it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. This is especially crucial during the third trimester, as it alleviates pressure on the liver and supports optimal heart function. Left-side sleeping also reduces the risk of complications, as studies have found that sleeping on one’s back during pregnancy may increase the risk of late stillbirth. For pregnant women, left-side sleeping is a simple, proactive way to enhance overall well-being.

4. Supporting healthy digestion and bowel movement
Here’s something you might not have heard before: the ileocecal valve, which connects the small and large intestines, is located on the left side of your body. Sleeping on your left side takes advantage of gravity to help waste move smoothly from the small intestine to the large intestine. This can lead to improved digestion, better bowel movements, and more efficient waste elimination.

When to reconsider your sleeping position
While left-side sleeping offers impressive benefits, it’s important to remember that no single sleeping position works for everyone. Comfort should always be your top priority. If you’re struggling with shoulder pain or feeling sore after spending hours in one position, it might be time to switch things up. For instance, back sleeping can help prevent neck and spine misalignment, while stomach sleeping may reduce snoring for some people.

What matters most is finding a position that allows you to rest comfortably throughout the night. If left-side sleeping isn’t working for you, don’t hesitate to experiment with other positions until you find what feels best.

Takeaways and a question for you
We hope this article has given you some new insight into the potential health benefits of left-side sleeping. While everyone has their own preferences, making small adjustments to your sleeping habits could help you wake up feeling more refreshed and healthy. So, do you have a go-to sleeping position? If you do, we’d love to hear about it—drop a comment and join the conversation!