How much do you think about your sleeping position when you hit the hay? Probably not a lot; most of us will get into bed, find the cosiest and most comfortable position and shut our eyes till we reach fairy land. Although the position you sleep in should be more than just comfy – it should be supportive.
Fun fact: Cultural norms dictate a lot more about how we sleep than we might think. A study undertaken by Carol Worthman at Emory University showed that for Egyptians, it’s common for family members to sleep in the same room with windows open, even in extremely noisy places like Cairo. You can read more on the companionable sleep study
here.
There are many factors that contribute to how much sleep we get, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular sleeping positions and sleeping tips to help with everything from digestion and snoring to posture and circulation.
What determines your sleeping position?
Although we may think we choose our sleeping position, the reality is that this is also heavily influenced by factors beyond our control. A number of studies, including a one by
Professor Idzikowski of The Edinburgh Sleep Centre and backed up by a questionnaire from the budget hotel chain, Premier Inn, came to the conclusion that our personality traits influence how we position our bodies during sleep. The study found that most people are unlikely to change their sleeping position so it seems that our sleeping position says something about us.
1. The Soldier
Strictly speaking, experts pin this position down as being the most supportive – and the fewer pillows the better! This position can show that a person is inflexible and rigid in thinking, set in their ways and stubborn which can make them come across as bossy or even aloof. Trying to relax more and letting muscles unwind from the day's hassles can help people who sleep like this wake up thinking more flexible. Even though being on your back supports your spine and shoulders, too many pillows can put strain on your neck. Be aware though that if you’re a sufferer of snoring then this could well make it worse!
2. The Yearner
Sleeping on your side is also a reasonable position to sleep in, providing that you’re aware of your posture and don’t revert to curling up too much! It’s a great position to sleep in for pregnant women, and in general is good for improving circulation as well stomach problems. Make sure that your head gets proper support and you avoid straining your shoulders. Around 13% of people sleep in this position.
It’s suggested that people who sleep like this want more from life and are willing to go after their dreams.
3. The Foetal Position
It naturally feels one of the most comfortable ways to lie down so it’s easy to revert to when you’re tired and looking forward to curling up in bed – literally! We all do it at some point, and it’s a pretty good position for snorers. The foetal position is extremely common, with about 40% of the British who sleep in this position.
It suggests the sleeper is returning to their comfort zone to de-stress themselves from the day's activities. This position tends to be adopted by people who appear tough on the outside but are actually quite sensitive. Foetal sleepers tend to be conscientious, ordered and like things in their place but they can overthink things and worry unnecessarily. However, this sleeping position is really not good for the shoulders or if you already suffer from back and posture problems.
4. The ‘Freefall’ Position
It pretty much looks like how we all crash out on the bed at the end of the day – but how many of us actually sleep like this? According to research quite a lot of us! With around 15% of us sleeping in this way, the freefall position is where people sleep face down with their arms outstretched. This sleep position is often adopted by people wanting to look like they aren’t bothered by what others think of them, but in fact, tend to take criticism personally.
Although the freefall position provides comfort to us like no other, it doesn’t support your back or neck and some people may not get a good quality of sleep. On a positive note, it is good for digestion, and it avoids causing discomfort on any stress positions.
5. The Starfish
The starfish position is quite common among people after a long, hard day but it’s not a sleeping position that sticks. For example, when you stay in a hotel the first thing you do when you see the bed is starfish, just to feel the comfort and because it’s quite freeing. However, this sleeping position is the least popular option with only 5%. Although the starfish is able to provide you comfort, it’s recommended that you move your arms down to your sides as it will avoid developing shoulder pain.
Which sleeping position is best?
Statistically, lying flat on your back without too many pillows supports your spine and ensures your neck is kept at a comfortable angle is the best choice. However, if you're suffering from things like snoring or stomach problems, there are different positions that will help your quality of sleep more effectively. How we sleep is affected by a number of internal and external influences. Many of these probably come from our basic instincts of how best to survive, since sleeping is when we are not aware of what is happening around us and so we do the best we can to minimise the risk. This would seem to be both at the cultural and individual levels.
Even when it comes to duvets, there are some different approaches. Professor Idzikowski found that British people’s most common position is to have one arm or leg sticking out of the duvet, followed by the next most popular where both feet are poking out the end. Only one in ten people like to cover themselves entirely with their duvet. So next time you are curled up on your
mattress under your duvet, or with your face in your pillow, consider switching your position for better, positive results. How we sleep tells us a lot about who we are, as well as offering us insight into others.
Let us know your sleeping position!
Which position do you prefer? Do you get a good night's sleep, or do you sacrifice initial comfort for quality? Let us know in the comments below or on our
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