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Lateral Sleep Position

Meaning

The Lateral Sleep Position, or sleeping on one’s side, is a posture clinically recognized for its significant influence on neurological and cardiovascular health, particularly concerning the efficiency of the glymphatic system. This position is generally favored for its potential to optimize cerebral metabolic waste clearance, which is a critical process for long-term cognitive function and neuroendocrine health. While individual comfort is paramount, the lateral position has been studied for its biomechanical advantages in reducing sleep-disordered breathing and supporting spinal alignment, both of which indirectly affect stress hormones and sleep quality. It is a simple, non-pharmacological variable with profound systemic implications.