For most people, sleeping on your right side is safe and healthy. There is no general rule that you must sleep on your left side.
What your sleeping position can affect
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Acid reflux: Right-side sleeping can worsen heartburn for some people. If reflux bothers you at night, try sleeping on your left side and consider elevating the head of your bed.
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Snoring and sleep apnea: Sleeping on either side is often preferable to sleeping flat on your back because it can help keep the airway open.
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Shoulder or hip pain: Lying on one side for hours can aggravate an existing painful joint. A pillow between your knees and good head/neck support may help.
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Pregnancy: Side sleeping is generally recommended later in pregnancy. Either side may be comfortable, although individual medical advice is best.
❤️ What about your heart?
Claims that sleeping on your right side is inherently dangerous for your heart are not supported for most healthy people. Some people with particular heart conditions may find one position more comfortable, but there is no universal requirement to sleep on the left.
Bottom line: If you sleep comfortably on your right side and aren’t experiencing symptoms, there’s generally no reason to change.
If you experience chest pain, significant shortness of breath, repeated nighttime choking/gasping, or troublesome palpitations in a particular sleeping position, discuss it with a healthcare professional.
