Why you should sleep on your left hand side

If you're a snorer, pregnant or just want to show your body some love, try sleeping on your left tonight.

There's bad news for those of us who do it on our backs , on our tummies, on our right-hand side, spooning - or even hanging upside down.

We are, of course, talking about sleeping.

The position we sleep in may not be the sort of thing worth paying much attention to, but it can have a huge impact on our health.

Sleep in general, and 'getting it right' is a source fascination, prompting studies and research into its effects.

We want to know how best to fall asleep during a heatwave . We want to know why we wake up when we do . And of course we want to know how best to get our children to sleep .

And we should be sleeping on our left

As the Daily Record reports, sleeping on your left side is the least harmful position for your spine.

If you lie on your back, there is a danger you'll end up putting too much pressure on your hips and upper back.

If you prefer to sleep on your front, then this can lead to neck and lower back strain.

Whereas sleeping on your left-hand side can do you the world of good. The body is able to take the pressure off lymph drainage from the heart and spleen, which is crucial for encouraging the natural flow of lymph fluid and preventing lymphatic congestion.

As positions go, it's also better for your breathing - especially if you find yourself congested of a nighttime.

Partner who snores?

By encouraging them to lie on their left, the volume and frequency of their snoring will be reduced.

That's because lying on your side gives optimum air flow to your lungs and prevents the base of your tongue from lolling into the back of your throat, obstructing breathing.

If you suffer from heartburn, sleeping on your left can reduce the uncomfortable symptoms AND reduce acid reflux.

Pregnant?

Women expecting a baby are advised to adopt this position when falling asleep to encourage healthy blood flow.

And on a more toilet-related topic , adopting the left-hand side will allow your body to process waste quicker, which in turn helps guard you against constipation.

Because of the route the intestines take, lying on the left means food is able to travel easier towards your colon.

So, remember. When it comes to sleep, go left.