When we don’t meet our sleep need - the genetically determined number of hours of sleep we need each night - our digestion suffers. It doesn’t matter which position you sleep in if you’re not getting enough sleep overall. The RISE app can work out how much sleep debt you have. Want to dive in deeper? We’ve covered the best side to sleep on here, and the sleeping positions to lose weight here. After all, even left-side sleeping can’t stop digestive issues from keeping you up if you have a large, rich meal and then head straight to bed. We say, sleep in the position that’s most comfortable for you and instead focus on leaving enough time between dinner and bedtime for digestion (aim for two to three hours). Unless you’ve got a specific health issue to think about - like GERD or sleep apnea - or you’re pregnant, there isn’t much definitive research to say which sleep position is best. Most of the time, the best sleep position is the one you find most comfortable and the one that helps you fall asleep. We’ve covered more about sleeping without a pillow and proper pillow position for sleeping here. If you can’t get a good night’s sleep in any other position, use a thin pillow or no pillow at all to reduce neck pain and keep your spine aligned. The one time when sleeping on your stomach is best? When it’s a choice between that and missing out on sleep. There’s not much evidence that this is the best position for digestion - or anything else.įront sleeping can cause acid reflux, it puts pressure on your neck and spine, and it can be painful if you’re suffering from indigestion, bloating, cramps, or general stomach pain, as you’re putting weight on your stomach. A supportive pillow is important even if you don’t have reflux to avoid neck pain. If you do sleep on your back, consider placing a pillow under your knees to keep your spine aligned and raising your head if you suffer from acid reflux.
#Which side should i sleep on after eating skin
Back sleeping can increase how much acid reflux you get as stomach acid can more easily travel up the esophagus.īack sleeping may be better if you want to prevent wrinkles, as your skin won’t be squashed against your pillow, when recovering from surgery or a c-section, or if you suffer from joint pain and find side sleeping too painful. If your sleeping habits involve sprawling out on your back, you may want to think again. It’s not entirely clear why, but it’s thought it could be because the stomach is lower than your esophagus when you’re lying on your left, making it harder for stomach acid to rise up.īeyond digestion, right-side sleeping may be best for those with heart failure, but more research needs to be done to confirm. Right-side sleeping has been found to make reflux worse in those who suffer from it. Side sleepers may be best for digestion in general, but not when things are going wrong. If you find you get shoulder pain from lying on one side, you can switch throughout the night. Try placing a pillow between your legs to keep your spine aligned. Improved sleep quality (although there’s no set definition for sleep quality).Reduced sleep apnea (there’s some evidence that right side may help symptoms further, but more research needs to be done).
Left-side sleeping is also the best side for:Īnd sleeping on either side can have health benefits like:
Another study found sleeping on the left or sleeping with the head elevated reduced GERD symptoms. A 2022 study found sleeping on the left-hand side helped those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have more reflux-free nights. Left-side sleeping may help with digestive issues, too. When you’re lying on your left side, gravity can help waste travel from your small intestine to your large intestine. When you do go to sleep, sleeping on your left may be the best side when it comes to digestion. This can cause pain and damage if it happens regularly. But if you lay down shortly after eating, this acid can easily travel up your esophagus and stay there for longer. Your stomach produces gastric acid to digest the food you’ve just eaten. Your digestive system slows down during sleep, too, and there’s an increased risk of heartburn when you’re laying down. When we’re horizontal, gravity can’t help food move through our digestive systems, so it’s digested more slowly. Instead, give your body two to three hours in between your final meal and going to sleep so it can get a head start on digestion. The best side to sleep on for digestion isn’t a side at all: it’s actually standing or sitting up.ĭon’t worry, we’re not suggesting you sleep sitting up. Want to maximize your digestion? Here’s the best position to be in post-meal. What is the Best Side to Sleep on for Digestion?
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