The side we sleep on has a different effect on our body.
This is what the experts say.
To understand how we can improve our sleep, TED Talk expert and speaker James Leinhardt shares some helpful TikTok tips.
Does it matter how we sleep?
Everyone has that position they always prefer to sleep in.
Some people like to sleep on their side, while others lie on their back.
James says there are only two sleeping positions he really recommends.
“If you lie on your back, your spine is immediately supported by the mattress and you have a more even distribution of body weight,” she says.
“If you then put a pillow under your knees, you’ll find that you’ll tilt your pelvis a little bit and most of your back is now resting on the bed, so it’s better supported. That’s number one.
“Number two is lying on your side. We know that clinical evidence dictates that you should put the least amount of tension on your spine in the side-lying position. You want your ears, your shoulders, your hips, your knees, and your ankles stacked on top of each other.”
Which side should I sleep on?
As for choosing left or right side, sleeping on different sides has a different effect on the body.
For example, the Sleep Foundation explains that the left side has benefits for pregnant women and those with GERD.
Meanwhile, sleeping on the right side may be more comfortable for those with heart problems.
A study revealed that when you sleep on your left side, the position of your heart changes due to the force of gravity.
This can lead to changes in the electrical activity of the heart, which are not present when sleeping on the right.
James explains: “As there is no clinical need, I can alternate between the left and right sides.
“For those of you who suffer from high blood pressure, we will advise lying on your right side and for those of you who suffer from GERD and especially pregnant women, we will advise lying on your left side.”
However, for the rest of us, James recommends alternating sides while we sleep.