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Did you know that the way you sleep can not only have an effect on the quality of your sleep but also provide insight into what you’re like as a person?
Sleeping positions vary from person to person. Some prefer the fetal position; others prefer sleeping on their front. As you’re about to see, there is a range of patterns and each has its own associated personality characteristics.
Below, you’ll find 5 sleeping positions and their meanings. If you’re interested in seeing what yours says about you, check out our list of the most common sleeping positions, and then discover our guide to the best sleeping positions for posture.
1) The Fetal Sleep Position
According to sleep.org and a range of other publications, 41% of adults sleep in the fetal position. It has a range of benefits: aiding circulation; relieving back problems, and it works great for pregnancy!
In terms of what this sleep position means, individuals who sleep in the fetal position are found to be more friendly, sensitive, and pleasant. However, another batch of evidence also suggests these sleepers can have a hard, emotional shell that is difficult to penetrate. Deep down, fetal sleepers are big old softies!
2) The Yearner
The yearner is another side sleeping position that is popular with many individuals. This position involves sleeping sideways with your arms stretched out in front the body. According to research, 13% of the population sleep like this.
Looking into what this sleeping position says about your personality, the results are interesting. Yearners are said to be open-minded, suspicious, and stubborn, especially when it comes to sticking with one decision and not considering other options.
3) The Freefaller
Moving onto people sleeping on their front, we have the freefallers. This position involves laying on your front with your arms above your head. The arms can either be placed on top of the pillow or underneath. Approximately 7% of the population sleeps like this.
Sleeping on your front has its benefits, including the prevention of snoring. However, it also has a number of problems associated with neck and back posture. If you are to sleep in this position, make sure you have a flat pillow that doesn’t skew your neck upwards too much.
Those who sleep in this position are likely to speak their mind and be social and outgoing. However, freefallers don’t tend to take criticism too kindly, so try your best to be nice to them!
4) The Soldier
If you sleep on your back, there is a high likelihood you’re sleeping like a soldier. This position involves resting on your back with your arms straight by your side – kind of how you’d see a soldier standing in formation. Around 8% of the population sleep this way.
Despite aiding posture and neck support, back sleepers are prone to experience the worst sleeping patterns and are more likely to snore.
If you’re interested in the personality characteristics you can draw from this, you’ll be interested to know soldier sleepers are generally quiet and keep to themselves. However, these individuals are also likely to expect a lot from both themselves and other people.
5) The Log
This doesn’t have the most flattering name, but the log is another side-sleeping position used by 15% of the population. This position involves you sleeping like a… well… a log. If in this position, you’ll be resting on your side with your arms in their natural position.
This position has been linked to improved digestion, reduced snoring, and reduced heartburn. So, despite looking like a log, this position has its benefits.
If you sleep in this position, it says a lot about your personality. In general, you’re likely to be social and laid-back, easily able to welcome strangers into your life. Those who sleep in the log position tend to be the most trustworthy people.
Summing it all up
Sleeping patterns differ a lot in the general population and each has its own association with various personality characteristics.
Hopefully, you've discovered what your sleeping position says about you. So the next question is this: which one are you and does it match up with your personality? Is the research right or have those responsible been sleeping on the job? If you're in a couple, take a look at what your couple's sleeping position says about your relationship.
If you've been struggling to sleep lately, discover our best sleeping positions for breathing problems, which could be exactly what you need for a good night's sleep.
