“If You Always Sleep on Your Right Side…” — What Does It Really Mean?
There’s no evidence that regularly sleeping on your right side is inherently harmful. For most healthy adults, the best sleeping position is simply the one that allows comfortable, restorative sleep.
However, your sleeping position can matter in certain situations:
- Acid reflux/heartburn: Right-side sleeping can make reflux worse for some people. Sleeping on your left side may reduce nighttime reflux.
- Snoring or sleep apnea: Sleeping on either side is generally preferable to sleeping flat on your back because it can help keep the airway open.
- Pregnancy: Side sleeping is generally recommended, particularly later in pregnancy. You don’t need to panic if you wake up on your back; simply reposition yourself comfortably.
- Shoulder, hip or back discomfort: A pillow between the knees and appropriate support can make side sleeping more comfortable.
❤️ What about your heart?
Claims that sleeping on the right side will damage your heart or cause heart failure aren’t supported by good evidence. In fact, Cleveland Clinic notes that there isn’t one universally “best” sleeping position for everyone.
