Research has revealed what your favourite sleeping position might say about you and your health.
By examining six of the most common positions, experts suggest you can learn a lot about yourself. From the foetus to the starfish, there are various ways to catch some Z's in bed. While some folks may enjoy sleeping on their back, others might prefer lying on their side or even on their front.
Regardless, your slumber habits and the position you often find yourself in can be quite revealing. Most positions have names, with researchers providing an analysis of each of the most popular ones and how they may relate to personality. The way you sleep can also offer insight into your overall health. People often adopt specific sleeping positions, consciously or unconsciously, to alleviate any discomfort or symptoms they may be experiencing.
Here's a look at the fetal, log, yearner, soldier, freefaller and starfish sleeping positions and what they reveal about you and your health, reports Wales Online.
1. Foetal
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This particular sleeping posture is named after the position that babies commonly assume while in the womb. Individuals who favour this position tend to sleep with their body slightly curled up, resembling a ball, while lying on their side.
During the 1970s, sleep researcher Samuel Dunkell put forward a theory suggesting a link between the foetal sleeping position and certain personality traits. After extensive research, Dunkell concluded that those who sleep in the foetal position are more likely to display signs of anxiety and emotional sensitivity.
Sleeping on your side is an excellent way to keep your airway clear and reduce snoring. It can also help alleviate symptoms of sleep apnoea. If you suffer from back and neck pain, arthritis, or acid reflux, it's often recommended to sleep on your side to ease these issues.
2. Log
This position refers to individuals who lie on their side with their arms and legs stretched out. According to sleep expert Chris Idzikowski, this sleeping position indicates a sociable nature and ease in social interactions. However, he warns that this openness and trust could lead to being easily fooled.
Lying flat on your mattress can help maintain your spine in a natural, neutral position, which can alleviate back pain. If you have acid reflux, you might find that this position helps lessen your symptoms, particularly if you sleep on your back with a pillow elevating your head.
Snoring or experiencing sleep apnoea can worsen if you sleep on your back. As you fall asleep, the tissues in your throat and tongue relax. Gravity then pulls them down, potentially obstructing airflow and leading to increased snoring or apnoea episodes.
These are six of the most popular sleeping positions (Getty)3. Yearner
When someone sleeps in the yearner position, it appears as though they're reaching out or longing for something. Typically, they stretch both their legs and arms in front of them while lying on their side.
Sleeping like this could lead to shoulder discomfort, warn researchers. Some studies suggest that individuals who favour this posture are somewhat open-minded, but not as much as those who prefer the log position. Yearners may also have a tendency towards cynicism and suspicion.
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4. Soldier
As the name suggests, sleeping in this position means lying with your body as straight as a soldier. Your legs are stretched out as well as your arms, which remain straight either side of you as you lie on your back. Research suggests soldier sleepers are quiet and reserved, but also hold themselves to high standards.
5. Starfish
Sleeping in this way means having all your limbs stretched out, like a starfish. While lying on your back, starfish sleepers have their legs parted and arms out either side of them. Researchers say starfish sleepers value friendship. Many starfish sleepers reportedly are good listeners and are quick to help others.
Dunkell said people who sleep on their backs are more self-confident. He also suggested back sleepers are likely to be more open and sensation-seeking than other sleepers.
6. Freefaller
This position involves sleeping on your stomach with your arms wrapped around your pillow, making you look like a relaxed skydiver soaring through the air. Being a freefall sleeper suggests that you're outgoing and bold. However, you might lack the thick skin needed to handle criticism or uncomfortable situations.
According to a study published in Nature and Science of Sleep, sleeping on your stomach is the least common sleep position. Resting on your stomach with your head on a pillow can put strain on your body, leading to neck and back pain upon waking. Sleeping on your stomach can cause your spine to overarch due to the weight of the human body's midsection. This could lead to nerve and pain issues, which may manifest as a tingling sensation or numbness in your fingers and toes.
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