What different sleeping positions say about your personality
We all have a sleeping preference. Whether that’s on the left side of the bed, closer to the on-suite or cupboard, or on the right side of the bed, next to the window for more airflow and natural light. But it goes one step further than simply the orientation of your preferred sleeping side.
Many of us in fact, if not all, have a preferred sleeping position and if we don’t lay in our favourite position we can end up tossing and turning all night. But did you know that sleeping positions can have a direct connection to your personality. Sounds crazy right? Well, according to Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, he analysed six common sleeping positions and found that each one is linked to a particular personality type.
Let’s run through the common sleeping positions and what each one says about your personality.
1. Freefall
Lying on your front with your hands around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. The second least common sleeping position, Professor Idzikowski noted, people who prefer this sleeping position are often gregarious and brash but can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath. They often don’t like criticism, or extreme situations, they’re less gullible and take their time to make up their mind.
2. Fetal
Easily the most popular sleeping position, in fact, 41% of the 1000 people surveyed during Professor Idzikowski’s study stated it was their preferred sleeping position and more than twice as many women than men tend to adopt this position.
Those who lay on their side in a fetal position tend to be sensitive but may project a tough exterior. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. It makes sense – since we all did this once in the womb, but ironically sleeping in the fetal (baby) position is also recommended by sleep specialists as the position that causes the least amount of sleep interruptions.
It is hands down the best position for aligning the spine as well as one of the best sleeping positions for back pain. The fetal position has gotten a bit of a bad rep for potentially causing strain on your neck and back joints, but if you have a decent pillow and a good quality mattress, this shouldn’t be a problem.
3. Log
Probably not the most flattering of names, sleeping like a log is lying on your side with both arms down by your side – just like a fallen tree. Favoured by 15% of the 1000 people surveyed, these sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd, and who are trusting of strangers. However, they may be prone to gullibility.
4. Yearner
The Yearner is sleeping on your side like the log except your arms are reaching out in front of you, as if you were “yearning” for something or someone. According to Professor Idzikowski, the yearning-log indicates an open nature, but can be suspicious or cynical.
They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it. It’s about as popular as logging and seems to be more prominent in couples.
5. Soldier
The soldier or back sleep is a person that sleeps on their back, with their arms straight down at their side — like they are standing at attention.
Those that sleep in the soldier position and thought to be strong, silent, and focused people who don’t like a big fuss. They love structure and take themselves very seriously. This also means that they can have high expectations for themselves and others around them.
Just 80 of the 1000 people surveyed noted this to be their favoured sleeping position and a startling amount suffered from snoring.
6. Starfish
The least common sleeping position, the starfish is lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow. People who sleep like this may have an unconventional style, but are very loyal friends and make relationships a great priority. They love to be supportive, acting as a sounding board for their friends’ problems, and will go out of their way to help others.
In relation to health, Professor Idzikowski concluded that the freefall position was good for digestion, while the starfish and soldier positions were more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night’s sleep.
Professor Idzikowski said: “Lying down flat means that stomach contents can more readily be worked back up into the mouth, while those who lie on their back may end up snoring and breathing less well during the night. Both these postures may not necessarily awaken the sleeper but could cause a less refreshing night’s sleep.”
The research also found that most people are unlikely to change their sleeping position, with just 5% said they sleep in a different position every night. And a surprising number of sleepers stick a limb out of their duvet, while only 1 in 10 slept entirely covered.
Two things are for certain here, every sleeper is as stubborn as each other and no-one seems to worry about what’s under the bed.
