This is what sleeping on the left side does for our brain, stomach & glymphatic health

Most of us don’t think twice about how we sleep. We just curl up in whatever position feels most comfortable and drift off. But did you know that your sleeping position can affect your brain function, digestion, and overall health? Studies suggest that sleeping on your left side offers surprising benefits, from improving digestion to enhancing your brain’s natural detox system.

If you’ve never considered changing your sleep posture, now might be the time! Let’s explore the science behind left-side sleeping and how it can positively impact your body.

The Surprising Benefits of Sleeping on Your Left Side

Sleeping on your left side isn’t just about comfort—it can actually improve several bodily functions. Here are the top benefits of making the switch.

Supports a Healthier Spine & Reduces Back Pain

Ever wake up with an aching back? Sleeping on your stomach or even your back can put unnecessary strain on your spine. When you sleep on your left side, your spine stays in a more natural alignment, reducing tension in your lower back. If you suffer from chronic back pain, switching to your left side could be a game-changer.

Helps Reduce Snoring & Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Snoring happens when the airway is partially blocked. When you sleep on your back, your tongue and soft palate fall backward, making snoring worse. Side sleeping, especially on the left side, keeps your airway open, reducing both snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea. If your partner often complains about your snoring, this might be the easiest fix.

Video : What Sleeping On Your Left Side Does For Our Brain, Stomach And Lymphatic Health

Aids Digestion & Reduces Acid Reflux

Sleeping on your left side can actually help your digestive system. Since your stomach is naturally positioned on the left side of your body, lying on that side allows gravity to aid digestion. This can help prevent acid reflux and heartburn, improve digestion by helping food move smoothly through the intestines, and reduce bloating and constipation.

Boosts Brain Health Through the Glymphatic System

Did you know your brain has a built-in cleaning system? It’s called the glymphatic system, and it works mainly while you sleep. This system helps flush out toxins and waste that accumulate in the brain during the day.

Research suggests that side sleeping improves glymphatic drainage, meaning it can help remove harmful substances linked to neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. In short, sleeping on your left side may support better brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Enhances Circulation & Heart Health

Sleeping on your left side also helps your heart work more efficiently. Because your aorta (the main artery) curves to the left, sleeping on this side reduces pressure on the heart, making it easier for blood to flow.

For pregnant women, doctors highly recommend sleeping on the left side to improve circulation to both the mother and the baby.

How to Train Yourself to Sleep on Your Left Side

If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, you might be wondering how do I train myself to sleep on my left side? Here are some helpful tips.

Use the Right Pillow & Mattress

A firm mattress and a good pillow will support your neck and keep your spine aligned while you sleep. A memory foam pillow that conforms to your head and neck is ideal.

Use a Pillow as a Barrier

Placing a pillow behind your back can prevent you from rolling onto your back while you sleep. If you want extra support, try hugging a pillow to keep your upper body stable.

Put a Pillow Between Your Knees

If you experience hip or knee discomfort, a small pillow between your knees can help reduce strain on your joints and keep your spine aligned.

Wear a Sleep Shirt with a Tennis Ball

This is an old trick, but it works. Sewing a tennis ball into the back of your sleep shirt makes it uncomfortable to roll onto your back, helping you stay on your side.

Try Sleeping on a Couch Temporarily

If you’re struggling to train yourself, sleeping on a narrow couch for a few nights might help, as it naturally limits movement.

The Downsides of Side Sleeping

While sleeping on your left side has numerous benefits, it’s not perfect for everyone. Here are a few potential drawbacks.

Shoulder & Hip Discomfort

If you sleep on a too-firm mattress, your shoulder and hip may feel sore due to added pressure. The solution is a softer mattress or a memory foam topper that can help cushion these areas.

Facial Wrinkles & Puffiness

Pressing your face into a pillow every night can cause wrinkles over time. If this concerns you, try using a silk pillowcase to reduce friction on your skin.

Jaw Stiffness

If you suffer from TMJ (jaw pain), sleeping on one side might add pressure to your jaw. Switching sides occasionally or using a softer pillow can help alleviate this issue.

Comparing Sleeping Positions: Which Is Best for You?

If sleeping on your left side doesn’t feel right for you, let’s compare other sleeping positions.

Sleeping on Your Back: Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Good for spinal alignment
  • Reduces pressure on joints
  • Helps prevent facial wrinkles

Cons:

  • Can worsen snoring and sleep apnea
  • Increases risk of acid reflux

Sleeping on Your Stomach: Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Can reduce snoring

Cons:

  • Puts strain on the neck and spine
  • Increases risk of back pain
  • Can restrict breathing.

Sleeping on Your Right Side: Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Still helps with snoring
  • Better than stomach sleeping

Cons:

  • Can worsen acid reflux
  • Doesn’t support circulation as well as left-side sleeping

Video : Sleeping on Your Left Side…Your Body’s Best Resting Position! Dr. Mandell

Final Thoughts: Should You Switch to Sleeping on Your Left Side?

Your sleep position plays a bigger role in your health than you might realize. While everyone has their own preferred sleeping posture, sleeping on your left side offers significant benefits for your brain, digestion, heart, and spine.

If you often wake up with back pain, acid reflux, or poor circulation, making the switch to left-side sleeping might improve your overall well-being. However, comfort is key, so if this position doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and find what works best for you.

Now, over to you. Do you sleep on your left side, or will you try switching? Let us know in the comments. Sweet dreams and better sleep ahead!

Business-Class Teen Passenger Threw Chips at Me While His Dad Laughed – They Had No Idea They’d Regret It an Hour Later

When Samantha, a modest woman, boards a business-class flight, she becomes the target of a bratty teen’s antics and his father’s mockery. Little did they know, their paths would cross again just hours later, leading to a twist neither of them could have predicted — one the father-son duo would deeply regret.

A few weeks ago, I received a letter — a real, honest-to-God, fancy letter in one of those thick, cream-colored envelopes. It was from a lawyer telling me I was a candidate for an inheritance from my late grandmother’s sister.

Woman opening a letter | Source: Pexels

Woman opening a letter | Source: Pexels

I barely knew the woman, so you can imagine my surprise when I found out I might inherit something from her.

That’s how I found myself on a business-class flight to Dallas. Just as I was getting settled, I noticed this teenager in the row ahead of me. He couldn’t have been more than 15, but he was already a professional brat.

He was loud and obnoxious and made a scene just for the sake of it. His father, sitting right next to him, wasn’t any better.

A teen boy | Source: Pexels

A teen boy | Source: Pexels

Instead of telling his kid to calm down, he was egging him on, laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world. I mean, who does that?

I tried to tune them out, but it was impossible. The kid — Dean, I think I heard his father call him — started throwing chips over the seat, and of course, they landed right on me. I took a deep breath, counted to ten, and leaned forward.

“Hey, what are you doing? Calm down, kid!” I said.

A frowning woman on a plane | Source: Midjourney

A frowning woman on a plane | Source: Midjourney

I hate confrontation, but I wasn’t about to let some teenager treat me like a target practice dummy.

Dean turned around, smirking as if he’d just won the lottery.

“Calm down, kid! Calm down!” he mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. And then, he threw another handful of chips right at my face.

I was stunned. Who acts like this? I looked at his father, hoping he’d step in and say something, but no.

The man was laughing so hard he was practically in tears.

A man laughing | Source: Pexels

A man laughing | Source: Pexels

“Excuse me, are you this kid’s father?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“Hold on,” the man said, his voice full of amusement. “I’m recording this! Can you say ‘Calm down, kid!’ one more time?”

I couldn’t believe it. I felt the anger bubbling up inside me, but instead of snapping — which, believe me, I was close to doing — I just pressed the call button for the flight attendant.

A flight attendant | Source: Unsplash

A flight attendant | Source: Unsplash

When she arrived, I explained the situation as calmly as I could, and she was a godsend. She moved me to another seat without making a fuss.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about that kid and his father. How could people act like that? So entitled, so cruel, just because they could.

I’m not naive; I know the world isn’t always fair, but this was something else. It was like they didn’t see me as a person, just an object to be ridiculed.

A sad and thoughtful woman | Source: Pexels

A sad and thoughtful woman | Source: Pexels

When the plane finally landed, I grabbed my bag and headed straight for the taxi stand. I was exhausted from the flight and trying to keep my emotions in check. All I could think about was getting to the lawyer’s office and getting this over with.

As the taxi weaved through the traffic, a knot of nerves formed in my stomach. What if this inheritance wasn’t real? What if it was just some cruel joke? I didn’t know what to expect, and that scared me more than I cared to admit.

Traffic | Source: Pexels

Traffic | Source: Pexels

I arrived at the lawyer’s office and walked inside. The receptionist directed me to the waiting area, and that’s when I saw them.

The bratty duo from the plane.

I froze in the doorway as the father stared at me, my heart pounding in my ears. What were they doing here? My mind raced as I tried to make sense of it. And then it hit me — they were here for the same reason I was.

They must be related to my grandmother’s sister somehow. I couldn’t believe the coincidence.

A father and son | Source: Midjourney

A father and son | Source: Midjourney

I’ve never been one to believe in fate or destiny or any of that. Life is what you make of it, right? But sitting in that stuffy lawyer’s office, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play.

The lawyer, Mr. Thompson, was the kind of man who seemed like he was born in a three-piece suit. He cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the tension that had been building since we sat down and he introduced us all.

“Thank you all for being here,” he began, his voice smooth as silk.

A man | Source: Pexels

A man | Source: Pexels

“As you know, the late Ms. Harper had no children of her own, but she was fond of her nieces and nephews. It was her wish that her estate be passed on to one of her sisters’ grandchildren.”

I glanced over at Richard, the bratty teen’s father, sitting with his arms crossed, a smug look on his face like he already knew he’d won.

Mr. Thompson continued, oblivious to the tension. “Ms. Harper, in her unique way, decided to leave this decision up to a coin toss. She believed that fate would guide her fortune to the right person.”

A man holding papers | Source: Pexels

A man holding papers | Source: Pexels

“Unique” was one way to put it. Crazy might have been another, but I kept that thought to myself. I mean, who decides to leave their entire estate to someone based on a coin toss?

Richard scoffed, rolling his eyes. “A coin toss? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Mr. Thompson looked up, his expression unchanging. “It was her final wish.”

Mr. Thompson pulled out a silver coin from his pocket and held it up. It caught the light from the window. My breath hitched as he placed the coin on his thumb, ready to flip it.

A coin | Source: Pexels

A coin | Source: Pexels

“This coin toss will determine who inherits Ms. Harper’s estate,” he said, his voice steady. “Heads, it goes to Ms. Rogers. Tails, it goes to Mr. Gray.”

The room fell into a tense silence, and I could almost hear the sound of my own heartbeat. I glanced at Richard, who was suddenly very still, his eyes locked on the coin. Dean had finally stopped fidgeting.

Mr. Thompson flicked his thumb, and the coin spun in the air, catching the light with every rotation.

Woman staring | Source: Midjourney

Woman staring | Source: Midjourney

Time seemed to slow as I watched it spin, my entire future hanging on the outcome of this one ridiculous coin toss. It felt like forever before the coin finally landed on the table with a soft clink.

Heads.

I blinked, not quite processing what I was seeing. Heads. I won. The estate and everything was mine.

Richard was the first to react. He shot up from his seat, his face flushed with anger.

A furious man | Source: Pexels

A furious man | Source: Pexels

“This is bull!” he shouted, slamming his fist on the table. “I’ve got debts, serious debts! I was counting on this money!”

Mr. Thompson remained calm, his expression unchanged. “I’m afraid the decision is final.”

“But I deserve that money!” Richard’s voice was rising, desperation creeping in around the edges. “I’ve got bills to pay! I—”

“That’s not my concern,” Mr. Thompson interrupted, his voice cool and detached. “The will is clear. The estate goes to Ms. Rogers.”

Dean looked from his father to me, his bravado from earlier completely gone.

A teen boy | Source: Pexels

A teen boy | Source: Pexels

I sat there, stunned, as the reality of what had just happened began to sink in. I won. I actually won. But instead of the joy or relief I expected to feel, all I felt was this strange sense of disbelief, like I was watching it all happen to someone else.

Richard slumped back in his chair, and all the fight drained out of him. He looked at me, his eyes full of anger and something else, something that looked a lot like fear.

“You think you deserve this?” he spat, his voice low and venomous.

An angry man | Source: Pexels

An angry man | Source: Pexels

“You don’t even know her. You’re just some nobody who got lucky.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Mr. Thompson beat me to it. “That’s enough, Mr. Gray. The decision has been made. I suggest you accept it with grace.”

Grace. There was nothing graceful about how Richard was falling apart in front of me. I could see it now, the desperation, the panic.

He wasn’t just upset; he was terrified. He had counted on this inheritance, maybe even planned his whole life around it. And now it was gone.

A woman | Source: Pexels

A woman | Source: Pexels

I stood up, my legs feeling shaky, and looked at Mr. Thompson. “Thank you,” I said, my voice quieter than intended.

He nodded, a small, reassuring gesture. “You’re welcome, Ms. Rogers. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

I nodded back, feeling like I was in a daze. As I walked past Richard and Dean, they avoided my gaze, their earlier arrogance completely shattered. They were a far cry from the people who had mocked me on the plane.

A woman looking over her shoulder | Source: Unsplash

A woman looking over her shoulder | Source: Unsplash

Now, they were just two people who had lost everything, and I was the one who had it all.

Karma, fate, whatever you want to call it, had dealt its hand, and for once, I had come out on top. But as I thought about Richard and Dean, their faces etched with fear and anger, I couldn’t help but wonder, was it really worth it?

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