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What's the best side to sleep on? Left or Right?

10.04.23

Sleeping on your side is one of the most recommended sleeping positions by healthcare professionals. It's not just about getting enough sleep, but also about ensuring that you sleep in a position that will benefit your body in the long run. While sleeping on your back may be comfortable, it is not always the healthiest position for your body. Sleeping on your side, on the other hand, can provide numerous benefits, especially if you choose the correct side to sleep on. In this blog, we'll be discussing when it's best to sleep on your left side and when it's best to sleep on your right side, along with the reasons for both.

Benefits of Side Sleeping

1/ Improved Spinal Alignment: One of the primary benefits of side sleeping is the improved spinal alignment it offers. This position helps maintain the natural curve of the spine, preventing back and neck pain caused by misalignment during sleep. It also reduces the risk of developing spinal issues over time.

2/ Reduced Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Sleeping on your side can help alleviate snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. This position prevents the tongue and soft tissues in the throat from collapsing, which can obstruct the airway and cause snoring and breathing issues.

3/ Enhanced Digestion: Side sleeping, particularly on the left side, can promote better digestion. This position allows for gravity to aid in the movement of food through the digestive tract, reducing the risk of heartburn and acid reflux.


4/ Alleviation of Pressure Points: Sleeping on your side can help alleviate pressure points, especially for people with joint pain or arthritis. This position allows for even distribution of body weight, reducing pressure on the hips, shoulders, and knees.

5/ Better Brain Health: Research suggests that side sleeping may promote better brain health by facilitating the clearance of waste products from the brain during sleep. This position may help reduce the risk of developing neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

When to Sleep on Your Left Side

When it comes to sleeping on your left side, it has been widely recommended by healthcare professionals, including doctors and sleep specialists, due to the many benefits that it provides. Here are some reasons why you should consider sleeping on your left side:

1/ Promotes better digestion: Sleeping on your left side can help with digestion by allowing gravity to assist in moving food and waste through your digestive system.

2/ Reduces acid reflux: If you suffer from acid reflux, sleeping on your left side can help to prevent stomach acid from flowing back into your esophagus.

3/ Improves heart health: Sleeping on your left side can promote better circulation by allowing the heart to pump blood more easily due to the position of the heart being located on the left side of the body.

4/ Relieves pressure on the spine: Sleeping on your left side can help to reduce pressure on your spine, which can be beneficial for those who suffer from back pain.

5/ Improves lymphatic system: The lymphatic system is responsible for filtering waste and toxins from the body, and sleeping on your left side can help to improve lymphatic drainage by allowing gravity to assist in this process.

When to sleep on your right side

While sleeping on your left side has numerous benefits, sleeping on your right side also has its advantages. Here are some reasons why you should consider sleeping on your right side:

1/ Reduces snoring: Sleeping on your right side can help to reduce snoring by preventing the tongue and soft palate from collapsing into the back of the throat, which can obstruct airflow.

2/ Reduces acid reflux: Similar to sleeping on your left side, sleeping on your right side can also help to prevent stomach acid from flowing back into your esophagus.

3/ Improves heart health: Sleeping on your right side can also improve heart health by reducing the amount of pressure on the heart and promoting better circulation.

4/ Promotes better breathing: Sleeping on your right side can help to open up the airways, which can be beneficial for those who suffer from sleep apnea or other breathing-related issues.

5/ Reduces pregnancy discomfort: For pregnant women, sleeping on the right side can help to reduce pressure on the uterus and improve blood flow to the fetus.

The best sleep mask for side sleepers

The Baxter Blue sleep mask is designed to be comfortable and effective for all types of sleepers, including side sleepers. Here are some reasons why the Baxter Blue sleep mask is a good choice for side sleepers:

Contoured design: The mask has a unique contoured design that conforms to the shape of your face, which can help prevent light from entering and disrupting your sleep, even if you're sleeping on your side.

Soft and comfortable: The mask is made with soft, lightweight materials that are gentle on your skin and won't cause any discomfort, even if you're a side sleeper.

Adjustable strap: The strap on the Baxter Blue sleep mask is adjustable, which means you can customize the fit to ensure it stays securely in place, even if you're moving around during the night.

Breathable fabric: The mask is made with breathable fabric, which can help prevent you from overheating or feeling uncomfortable, even if you're sleeping on your side.

Overall, the Baxter Blue sleep mask is a great choice for side sleepers because it's comfortable, effective, and designed to help you get a better night's sleep, no matter how you sleep.

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