Listen to Your Gut

Stomach pain can be an indication you are not getting enough sleep. Often, lack of sleep increases stress levels causing more indigestion, acid reflux, and heart burns. So if you're having stomach problems, it is time to change your sleeping position. At the same time, getting quality sleep allows your digestive organs to get a chance to rest and repair, improving your overall health.

Good quality sleep hinges on a few factors, including your mattress quality, but most importantly, it depends on your sleeping position. Here is how sleeping on your side can help alleviate your stomach pain.

The Left Side Slides the Pain Away

You can take up several positions as you lay on your mattress. However, sleeping on your side is the way to go when it comes to sleeping positions for stomach pain. Most adults sleep on their side, but does it matter if it's on the right or left? Yes, it does.

Organs on your right side are different from the ones on your left, performing different functions. According to Ayurvedic medicine, sleeping on your left side helps relieve stomach pain. Since the stomach rests on the left side, this position relieves pressure from your gut, allowing you to sleep better.

Besides reducing pressure on your stomach, sleeping on your left side can also help with acid reflux by keeping your stomach lower than your gullet. This position reduces the risk of stomach acid coming back up. And as an added perk, sleeping on your left side keeps your airways open, reducing snoring and improving circulation.

Pillow Talk: Sleep on Your Back for a Happy Tummy

Adapting to a new sleeping position can take a while, especially if you frequently turn in your sleep. However, if you are used to sleeping on your back, there is no need to change, as sleeping on your back keeps your body in a neutral position and reduces pressure on your stomach, easing your pain. Just ensure you use a supportive mattress and a pillow. Elevating your head helps you avoid digestive problems such as acid reflux. Sliding a pillow under your head and knees is also good for your back.

Not all positions help with stomach pain. Sleeping on your stomach, for example, is not recommended. Sleeping on your stomach adds pressure to your stomach. It also may put strain on your back. You may develop back and neck pain with time. However, if you must sleep on your front, ensure you set a pillow under your pelvis.

Sleep Like a Baby

Ultimately, sleeping on your left side is the best position for alleviating stomach pain. Equally important is using a supportive mattress and quality pillows. Supporting your head with pillows helps you maintain a neutral position, alleviates pressure on your stomach, and can help reduce acid reflux symptoms.