Scientists Explain What Sleeping On Your Left Side Does For Your Brain, Stomach And Lymphatic System
We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is vital for our health, and I’ve already written about it in my article about the dangers of sleep deprivation. But did you know that your sleeping position may affect your general health?
Many people wonder whether their sleeping position can contribute to back or neck pain, or even stomach issues. Some people wonder if sleeping on the left side is better than sleeping on the right side.
Therefore in this article I will discuss the worst and the best sleeping positions for your body. I’ll also cover the specific benefits of sleeping on the left side.
The Worst Sleeping Position is on Your Stomach
Sleeping on your stomach can be hard on your back, shoulders and neck and makes it difficult to maintain a natural curve of your spine. It can also lead to shoulder pain from sleeping.
Sleeping on your stomach puts pressure on your joints and muscles which can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling.
If you can’t sleep any other way, reduce the strain on your back by placing a pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen. Also place a pillow under your head if it doesn’t place too much strain on your back, but if it does cause strain, don’t use pillow at all.
If you suffer from back pain – try these 13 exercises to strengthen your back and reduce back pain.
Benefits Of Sleeping On The Left Side
Interesting fact: the majority of Americans (63%) prefer sleeping on their side.1
In this position, the person sleeps on the side while the back is slightly curled with knees bent and arms folded.
Many consider this position to be the healthiest, as it helps to keep your airways open and matches the natural curve of the spine.
To make this position even better, you can add a pillow between your knees to reduce stress on the hips.
Sleeping on the Left Side Helps Relieve Heartburn (Acid Reflux)
If you tend to suffer from heartburn, then sleeping on your side (especially on the left) can also make a difference.
Research has found that sleeping on the left side can relieve heartburn symptoms, while right-side sleeping makes them worse. 3,4,5,6
The reason for that is not entirely clear, and several theories have been raised about this issue.
If you suffer from heartburn and sleeping on your side doesn’t help – try to use this natural ingredient to quickly relieve heartburn.
Sleeping on the Left Side is Good for Pregnant Women
Sleeping on the left side is also recommended during pregnancy to improve blood circulation and to allow your blood an easier way from the heart to the placenta to nourish the baby.
Sleeping on the left side also keeps the expanding body weight from pushing down too hard on your liver (also pay special attention to other common habits that can damage your liver).
While either side is fine during pregnancy, left is the best.8
Prevents Snoring
One of the first ways to try and prevent snoring is to ensure that you sleep on your side, not on your back.
Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that a common cause of snoring is sleeping on your back. If you are asleep on your back, your tongue may obstruct your airways which results in snoring.
Good for the Brain and Could Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
A recent study from Stony Brook University11 suggests that sleeping in the side position, as compared to sleeping on the back or stomach, may more effectively remove brain waste. The findings were published in the Journal of Neuroscience on July 2015.
This could help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease because the buildup of brain waste may contribute to its development as well as other neurological conditions.
The brain’s cleansing process, called the glymphatic system, clears waste from the brain similarly to the way the body’s lymphatic system clears waste from the organs. This process is most efficient during sleep.
A build-up of brain waste can negatively affect brain processes, and if this waste is not properly disposed of, the chances of neurological diseases can increase.
The side you prefer during sleep can also have impact if you suffer from kidney stones.
It’s Also Good to Change Sides to keep the Kidneys Healthy
A research published in BMJ on their April 2001 issue suggests that consistently sleeping on one side of the body may make this weight-bearing side more prone to kidney stones.10
The research checked 110 people who suffered from kidney stones on one side of their body, and found that patients’ stones frequently recurred on the side they favored during sleep.
It was suggested in the study that the sleeping position affects blood flow to the kidneys and can cause temporary slow-downs in circulation to the kidneys so it affects the kidney’s ability to clear itself of various substances.
The study suggested that changing sleeping habits may help prevent recurrent kidney stones.
You can also do other things to keep your kidneys in top working condition: avoid these 15 common habits that can damage your kidneys and follow these suggestions to naturally treat and prevent kidney stones.
What Happens When Sleeping on the Back?
While sleeping on your back is better than sleeping on your stomach (as your back, head, neck and spine maintain a neutral position), it still has its drawbacks.
Sleeping on your back is not recommended if you are prone to snoring and for those with sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a life-threatening sleep disorder which I’ve mentioned in my article about the warning signs of sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back can also cause your tongue to fall inwards which can block the breathing tube.
At the later stages of pregnancy, it is recommended to avoid lying flat on your back, as in that position the weight of the uterus presses on the spine, back muscles, and major blood vessels, which can decrease blood flow around your body and to your baby.7,8
If you suffer from backache, it is recommended to place a pillow under your knees and try a small, rolled towel under your lower back for extra support and to help maintain the curve in your back. Also don’t forget to support your neck with a pillow.9
The ’60s Icon Who Lost Love And Endured Tragedy: Her Photos At 86
Connie Francis stands as one of the most influential and successful female vocalists in American music history—a performer whose unmistakable voice helped define the sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
With timeless classics such as “Who’s Sorry Now?”, “Stupid Cupid,” “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own,” and “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” she became an international sensation, captivating audiences around the world with her emotional delivery and remarkable vocal versatility.
Behind the glamour, however, was a life marked by extraordinary triumphs, heartbreaking loss, and an unwavering determination to survive challenges that would have broken many others.
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, Connie showed musical talent from an early age. Recognizing her potential, her father became the driving force behind her career.
Fiercely ambitious and deeply determined to see his daughter succeed, he encouraged—and often pressured—her to perform from childhood.
Under his strict guidance, Connie appeared in talent competitions, television programs, and live performances while still very young.
Although his relentless efforts ultimately helped launch one of the most successful careers in popular music, they also created enormous emotional pressure.
Connie would later acknowledge that the discipline and expectations placed upon her during her formative years shaped both her incredible work ethic and many of the personal struggles she experienced later in life.
Her breakthrough arrived in 1958 with “Who’s Sorry Now?” At first, the song attracted little attention, but after legendary television host Dick Clark played it on American Bandstand, everything changed.
Almost overnight, Connie Francis became a household name.
The record climbed the charts not only in the United States but across Europe and beyond, transforming her into one of the world's first truly international female pop stars.
Over the following years, she dominated radio with a remarkable string of hit records, sold millions of albums, and performed in multiple languages, building an enormous global fan base that stretched far beyond English-speaking audiences.
While her professional life appeared glamorous, her personal life was often filled with heartbreak. One of the deepest emotional wounds came from her romance with fellow singer Bobby Darin.
Their relationship blossomed during the early years of their careers, and the pair reportedly envisioned a future together.
However, Connie's father strongly disapproved of the relationship and ultimately intervened, preventing the romance from continuing.
The separation devastated both young performers. Bobby Darin eventually moved on and married actress Sandra Dee, while Connie would later describe losing him as one of the greatest heartbreaks of her life.
Years afterward, she admitted that she often wondered how different her life might have been had they been allowed to remain together.
As the years passed, the tragedies continued to mount. In 1974, Connie became the victim of a horrific assault following a performance, an event that profoundly affected her emotionally and psychologically.
The traumatic experience left lasting scars and dramatically altered her confidence and sense of security.
Determined that others should not endure similar suffering without support, she later became an outspoken advocate for victims' rights, helping raise awareness about crime victims and encouraging improvements in victim assistance programs throughout the United States.
Not long afterward, another devastating blow struck when her beloved younger brother, George Franconero Jr., was murdered.
His death shattered the family and plunged Connie into overwhelming grief. Losing someone so close while still coping with previous trauma compounded her emotional struggles and made everyday life increasingly difficult.
The combination of public pressure, personal loss, and unresolved trauma gradually took a severe toll on her mental health.
During these painful years, Connie faced profound depression and experienced periods of emotional crisis.
She openly discussed her struggles with mental illness, including a suicide attempt, choosing to speak honestly about experiences that were rarely discussed publicly at the time.
Her willingness to share her story helped reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encouraged countless others to seek treatment and support. Rather than hiding her pain, Connie transformed it into a source of compassion for people facing similar battles.
As if those challenges were not enough, Connie also endured a devastating setback to the very gift that had made her famous—her voice.
Following nasal surgery intended to improve her breathing, complications temporarily robbed her of her ability to sing.
For an artist whose identity and livelihood depended upon her voice, the experience was emotionally crushing.
The fear that she might never perform again left her questioning whether her extraordinary career had reached its end.
Through months of rehabilitation, patience, and determination, she gradually regained her vocal abilities, demonstrating once again the remarkable resilience that had become a defining characteristic of her life.
Despite enduring repeated personal tragedies, Connie refused to let hardship define her legacy.
Throughout the years, she found strength in several enduring sources: her deep religious faith, the love she shared with her adopted son Joey, and the unwavering support of generations of devoted fans who continued to celebrate her music long after her chart-topping years had passed.
Their encouragement reminded her that her voice—and her story—continued to matter.
Professionally, Connie Francis achieved accomplishments that remain extraordinary by any standard.
She sold more than 80 million records worldwide, recorded songs in numerous languages, and became one of the first female solo artists to enjoy sustained international superstardom.
Her influence reached far beyond America, making her one of the most recognizable voices of her era.
Even decades after her biggest hits, her recordings continue to be rediscovered by new generations of listeners who appreciate the sincerity, warmth, and emotional depth she brought to every performance.
Today, at 87 years old, Connie Francis is remembered not only as a legendary singer but also as a symbol of perseverance.
Living a quiet life in Florida after retiring from the spotlight, she remains an enduring inspiration to fans around the world.
Her extraordinary journey serves as a reminder that fame does not shield anyone from heartbreak, loss, or personal struggle, but it also demonstrates the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.
Through unimaginable challenges, Connie continued to move forward with courage, dignity, and hope.
Her legacy extends far beyond the millions of records she sold or the timeless songs she recorded.
It lives on in her advocacy for victims' rights, her openness about mental health, and her willingness to transform personal pain into compassion for others.
Connie Francis is remembered not simply because she possessed one of the most recognizable voices of the twentieth century, but because she showed the world that true strength is measured not by the absence of suffering, but by the courage to keep singing after life has tested you again and again.
