Whether it's on your side, on your belly, or spread out like a sea star, each of us has our own unique sleeping position and, as it turns out, that may just say something about you.
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Sleepers, to Your Positions!
We spend about one third of our lives sleeping or trying to sleep. With that amount of time invested in rest it should come as no surprise that how we sleep and the positions we sleep in can tell us a lot about the people we are and the lives we lead. Just like the body language we exhibit in waking hours, the body continues to express our emotions, thoughts, and feelings, long after we've given into sleep for the evening. A groundbreaking study in 2003 for the UK's Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service led by director Dr. Chris Idzikowski provided some startlingly accurate insight into six different preferred sleep positions and just how they can reflect the personality of the sleeper.
Preferred Sleep Position and Personality
"We are all aware of our body language when we are awake but this is the first time we have been able to see what our subconscious posture says about us. What's interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect."
-Dr. Chris Idzikowski
Sleeping Like a Log
You've probably heard the old saying 'sleeping like a log,' little did you know it was an actual scientific term. This position is defined by sleeping on the side with the arms by the side. Fifteen percent of people report this as their preferred way of sleeping. According to Dr. Idzikowski's research, sleepers who prefer the Log position are commonly easy going, social butterflies who like being part of a crowd and are more likely to trust a stranger.
Sleeping Like a Soldier
The Soldier position is described as lying flat on your back with your hands at your sides. This position is the preferred way to sleep for eight percent of sleepers. Dr. David Greuner, co-founder and managing director of NYC Surgical Associates, says that sleeping on the back is more commonly associated with snoring, as the throat is narrower, making snoring louder and more frequent. Those who prefer the Soldier position are thought to be more quiet and reserved and hold themselves and others up to a stricter moral code says Dr. Idzikowski's study.
The Yearning Log Position
No, the Yearning Log position is not a yoga form it's actually the descriptor for a modified Log position in which you lay on your side with both arms in front of you and is the preferred position of thirteen percent of people. Those who sleep like a Yearning Log are thought to be more open natured but may have a suspicious or cynical streak. Dr. Idzikowski says they may also be slower to make up their minds but once set may have great difficulty in changing them.
Curled up in the Fetal Position
The Fetal position is perhaps the most well known of the sleeping positions and is the most commonly preferred as it was adopted by more than forty percent of the subjects of Dr. Idzikowski's study. Sometimes called 'balling up' or 'curling up like a baby' the fetal position is defined by laying on the side with the legs and arms pulled into the chest. The personality of the Fetal sleeper is said to be tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Those who prefer the Fetal position may be shy at first but soon warm up.
Embracing Your Inner Starfish
Starfish sleepers, otherwise known as spread eagle, are known for their care free positioning, sprawled out across the bed. Only five percent of sleepers say they prefer this style of sleep. However, it seems that those who do prefer the Starfish may make the best friends as they are often more willing to listen and help others. Starfish have less desire to be the center of attention, as well, though may not run from it all the time.
Free falling into Sleep
With seven percent of sleepers claiming the Free Fall position as their preferred way of resting, this position is described as lying on the stomach with your hands wrapped around the pillow and your head of to one side. Dr. Idzikowski says that these sleepers may be outspoken and brash but may harbor anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. Free falling sleepers are also said to dislike criticism and extreme situations.
Get the Best Sleep Possible No Matter Your Position Preference!
Whether you're a Yearning Log or a Starfish, Land of Sleep can make sure you achieve the best rest possible in absolute comfort to wake up feeling replenished and refreshed. A family business bedding provider, Land of Sleep has over forty years of experience helping customers get a good night's sleep and make the most of their forty winks. Visit Land of Sleep in one of their two locations, in Sarasota and Venice, Florida, or online, to view their vast line of products designed for nights of complete rest and relaxation regardless of your sleep position preference.
