Sleeping Positions to Improve Digestion: When it’s Not Good to “Go Green”

This St. Patrick’s Day, we’re celebrating the day with as much green as possible. From outfits, to dishes, to parades, and anything else that incorporates the leprechaun’s favorite holiday. It’s safe to say it’s a day that’s greener than any other. 

But when it comes to bodily functions, greener isn’t always better. In fact, it’s far worse. No one wants to be green in the face, that is nauseous, any time of day. Especially when they’re trying to sleep. 

In order to get past whatever digestion ailment that has you on edge, look to these simple and comfortable sleeping positions. Each of which helps the body naturally improve digestion, and keeps you from going green in the face. No matter what they day may bring. 

The Right Side

When your stomach is feeling uneasy, one of the best ways to sleep is on your right side. Because of the way the intestines sit, this allows food and accompanying acids to settle and rest, rather than causing even further feelings of unease. Consider rolling over to your right the next time your stomach is upset.

On an Incline

Eat right before bed? Whether you’re experiencing acid reflux, indigestion, or know you need a little more time before you can sleep comfortably, consider an incline. This allows the body to naturally settle its contents with the help of gravity. Opt for a wedge-shaped pillow, or stack a few to gain similar results. You can even lounge in the chair until you feel properly digested. 

The Left Side

Unlike an upset stomach, the left side seems to be the way to go when preventing heartburn. (Whether it’s already struck, or you’re looking to nix its symptoms before they arrive.) These findings were proven by a number of sleep studies, all of which featured regular heartburn suffers who made the switch to left-side sleeping. 

Face-First

While sleeping with your face into the pillow might not sound like the most comfy position, it might be the best for helping with digestion. Try this tactic after a heavy meal, or when eating right before bed. It’s a great way to give the intestines a helping hand, while eliminating discomfort or stomach twists and turns throughout the night. 

To better eliminate painful sleeping patterns, especially those associated with digestion, opt for these simple solutions. They’re a proven and comfortable way to gain better sleep. 

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Why Stomach Strength is Important for Posture

Whether or not we host a set of six-pack abs, stomach muscles offer a great deal of body support. Between holding us upright and keeping all our organs sitting proper (along with some help from the bones), stomachs are far more important than they’re given credit for. Sure, on the inside they hold meals and start the digestive process. But on the outside, its functions are just as important.

It’s high time we start giving the mid-section a little more recognition. After all, it’s what allows us to perform hundreds of movements each day. And without a solid set of abs – even if it doesn’t look that way on the outside – the back begins to sink and slouch. Poor posture is also one of the main causes of continual back pain; it’s often the largest contributor to poor spinal health. Without proper abs strength, however, it’s easy to bend or slouch after a short period of time. Because the muscles aren’t further developed, they tire easily, leading to underlying medical issues, such as poor posture-induced pains.

Why Abs are Important

Each person’s abs connect to the spine and pelvis, allowing you to stand in a balanced position. When that connection is strained, however, stress and pressure is placed on the back, and the abs themselves. By aligning the spine, all aspects can receive the correct support that they need.

To help this natural posture improvement, strengthen abs so they are able to sustain your back throughout the day, without becoming tired or weak. This can be done through workouts, sitting on a medicine ball, or by just sitting up straight. Make a conscious effort for a certain period of time, adding minutes each day until the posture feels natural. [Boxing Scene]

Start flexing your abs for a natural, internal way to improve posture.

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