SLEEPING

What is Sleeping

Sleeping is a condition of body and mind that typically occurs for several hours every night. As a result, the nervous system is relatively inactive, the eyes closed. Also, the postural muscles are relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended. However there is a lot going on in your body during sleep.

What happens When We Sleep

While sleeping your body is still active during this time. So, the brain is filing away memories, repairing damage, digesting continues, and generally recharging your batteries. Besides, of course, taking in oxygen and circulating blood. Finally, it turns out, the position you take during sleep makes a huge difference in how effective these processes are.

Sleeping Positions

There are lots of common positions people assume as they drop off to sleep, including on their side, stomach, back, or curled up in the foetal position. As a result, some people lay relatively still all night, and others toss and turn. Furthermore, it is okay if you wake refreshed, but sometimes you can wake up sore because of the sleeping position.

Sleep on the Left Side

Sleeping on your left side is the most effective, healthy position. Firstly, there have been countless sleep studies that have confirmed sleeping on the left side is the gold standard. Consequently, left-side sleeping has some benefits for your health and also your partners if you have one sleeping next to you at night.

Sleeping on the Left Aids Digestion

Now, even though digestion will occur no matter how you sleep, you can help your body do the work with as little effort as possible by sleeping on your left side. So then, because our stomachs sit to the left side of the abdomen, you lie on your left side. In this case, it allows food to pass into the large intestine more easily. It also keeps the stomach from lying on top of the pancreas. As a result, it supports the free flow of digestive enzymes.

Helps Prevent Snoring

Do you or your partner snore? There can be no more annoying thing than trying to sleep next to a noisy snorer. For example, left-sided sleeping could make all the difference in achieving a peaceful night. However, it is not guaranteed. But it does keep your tongue and throat in a more neutral position and leaves the airways clear. As a rule, in sleep, the mouth, throat, and tongue relax. However, back sleeping is the worst for snoring because those tissues relax backwards and may partially obstruct the airway. So then, snoring is the vibration caused by pulling air through that restricted airway.

Gives Your Heart a Break

Your heart is a hard-working organ that never rests. However, it can be impacted by a lot of factors, from diet to inactivity. So then, it is no surprise that heart disease is the leading killer of adults worldwide. Therefore to lower your risk, making your hearts work easier, sleep on your left side. So, when you sleep on your left side, you let gravity help the heart move blood. Furthermore, your aorta carries blood from the heart to the rest of your body, pumping to the left as it begins its route. So then, when you lay so that it is pointed down, the heart has less work to get that blood circulating.

Helps to Reduce Heartburn

Heartburn can be a side effect of eating, especially before bed; it can be a painful experience. As a result, Scientists have found that sleeping on your left side can minimize heartburn but sleeping on the right can cause it to flare up. Therefore, this may be due to the stomach’s position on the left side of our bodies. Furthermore, when we lay on our left side, the junction of the stomach and oesophagus is kept higher than the level of stomach acid. But, on the right side, the lower oesophageal sphincter is relaxed and could let acid seep through (acid reflux).

Supports the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph. For example, this system plays a key role in moving fluid throughout the body, and in our immune system. As a result, lymph can carry away toxins and other waste products, so a blockage anywhere in the system would be associated with poor health. Also, it has long been thought that sleeping on the left side of the body helps the lymphatic system filter out waste. Furthermore, lymph drains to the left through the thoracic duct, so again, this position lets gravity assist a natural bodily function.

Helps to Relieve Back Pain

Everyone has woken with a pain in the neck or a sore back due to sleep in an awkward position. Generally, this is an odd event, but if it happens often, consider sleeping on the left. Firstly, left-side sleeping relieves stress on the spine. Secondly, the more pressure on your back as you sleep, the more effort your muscles require to keep everything in place. Also, when you sleep on the left, you improve your circulation. Finally, that has a cascading effect that reduces the inflammation caused by strained muscles.

Sleep is Extremely Important for health,

As an adult, you should be getting at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to maintain good health. Also, it should be good quality sleep allowing your body to heal and repair any damage. For instance, when you do your resistance training, your muscles and strength do not improve. As a result of that training, they get stronger while you sleep.

In Conclusion

Sleep is of paramount importance for good health, no-compromise 8 hours a night minimum. If you are engaged in resistance training, you may find a short nap after training helps recovery. As you work up to heavier weights, you will feel tired, and a nap is very beneficial for you.

Important Note *

Remember that everyone is different, and it is ultimately YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find what your body responds to… Please do your own due diligence before trying anything new, including getting Medical Advice to ensure your safety and peace of mind.

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