The bottom line is that resting for 10 minutes on your left side after eating can improve digestion and immunity, plus increase your energy and memory. It may also improve symptoms associated with menopause and the menstrual cycle. Better yet, sleep on your left side for even better results. Here’s the scoop on it…
Do you ever feel tired after eating? Would you like to know something quick and easy to do that involves lying down that will likely aid your digestion and help your energy bounce back too?
Have you ever noticed that “things” seem to happen more on one side of your body than the other? For example, how rashes, aches and pains, tend to usually show up consistently on either your right side or your left? Even your vision is different in each eye, isn’t it?
I had the good fortune to meet Dr. John Douillard, DC, and his family of 8 on one of my teaching trips to Sivananda Yoga Center in the Bahamas. He spoke on the Ayurvedic aspects of digestion. Ayurvedic is the traditional medicine of India. He says that “According to Ayurveda, the left side of the body is completely different than the right side, and, while I know it sounds strange, emphasizing the left side for rest and sleep offers some time tested wisdom for very real health and longevity benefits.” Resting on your left side for 10 minutes after eating a meal will help your digestion and help your energy bounce back too.
“According to Ayurveda,” he says, “the left side of the body is completely different than the right side, and, while I know it sounds strange, emphasizing the left side for rest and sleep offers some time tested wisdom for very real health and longevity benefits.” Resting on your left side for 10 minutes after eating a meal will help your digestion and help your energy bounce back too. Get the facts here on why Erik Dalton, PhD recommends lying in the fetal position for hydration of the spinal discs for better back health.
Here are the reasons Dr. Douillard gives for sleeping on your left side and resting for 10 minutes after eating.
- Facilitate lymphatic drainage
- Makes it easier for the heart to pump “downhill”
- Better elimination
- Support healthy spleen function
- Encourages proper digestion
- Helps circulation back to the heart
- Helps bile flow more freely
- Brain health (may improve age-related cognitive decline – read more below)
- May improve menopause and menstrual cycle symptoms – click here
There’s some good anatomical logic to back these claims up. Watch this 5 minute video for his explanation.