Which Side You Sleep On Has A Different Effect On Your Body

Finding ways to improve sleep quality has become a huge industry - from scented sprays to silk pillow cases, we'll try anything if it means getting a good night's rest.

But what you may not realise is that the position you sleep in can significantly impact your rest, and something as simple as this can drastically alter your sleep quality.

Sleep expert and TED Talk speaker James Leinhardt has been sharing valuable insights over on TikTok to help shed some light on the idea.

“There is a common misconception about the ‘magic eight hours of sleep’ and how this is the only way to get a good night’s rest, however as a nation this is not what we should be focusing on,” he explains.

“For most people, it is unrealistic - our study has proven that not even 1 in 5 people manage to achieve 8 hours. The main thing we should be focusing on is sleep quality not quantity.

“If you’re getting a good quality night sleep, it shouldn’t matter whether you are waking up at 6am or getting your full 8 hours every night.”

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And one thing we should be taking into account to ensure we get a good night's sleep is the position we're in.

“If you're lying on your back, your spine is immediately supported by the mattress and you've got the most even distribution of body weight," he says. "If you then pop a pillow underneath your knees, you'll find that you slightly tilt your pelvis and more of your back is now touching 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 put the least amount of tension on your spine in a sideline position. You want your ears, your shoulders, your hips, your knees and your ankles all stacked on top of each other."

But when it comes to deciding whether to sleep on your left or right side, different sides can also impact the body in distinct ways.

According to The Sleep Foundation, sleeping on your left side is particularly beneficial for pregnant women and those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

On the other hand, those with heart conditions may find more comfort sleeping on their right side. Research even shows that sleeping on your left can shift the heart's position due to gravity, potentially altering its electrical activity - something not observed when sleeping on the right.

"Because there's no clinical need, I can alternate between my left and my right," James says. "Those of you that suffer with high blood pressure, you'll be recommended to stay on your right side and those who suffer with acid reflux and particularly pregnant ladies, you'll be advised to lie on your left side."