What sleeping position says about you?

Sleeping positions indicate personality traits: what does it say about your character?

People know there are rules on sleeping arrangements, from fengshui and where to put your bed or what direction your headboard goes to temperatures in the room during the night. Also, people rely on things that explain their dreams and the meaning of things they see when sleeping.

Many wonder what their particular features say about them and what their favorite color might indicate. However, have you considered your preferred sleeping position and what it might reveal about you? As often with such predictions, there is not much research, but speculating is pretty interesting.

Our sleep positions are entirely habitual. We settle into the same pose every night to relax and go to sleep. This habit often comes from childhood; you might not consciously think about it every night. Whether you are a side sleeper or fall back onto your pillow, your sleep routine and posture can indicate some things about you.

It seems that certain sleep positions can even indicate health issues and concerns. Some of these researches provide various details about personalities, habits, and conditions that people often do not realize having.

Personality traits can be revealed from your sleeping position

Your sleep position might say more about your personality than you think. While most of us focus on finding the most comfortable way to sleep physically, sleep experts have suggested that certain positions could reflect aspects of your character and behavior^[1].

We think this is about physical comfort and avoiding pain or other discomfort, but reports say it is more related to your brain and mentality. Professor Chris Idzikowski, a sleep researcher, surveyed with over 1,000 adults in the UK to explore possible links between sleep positions and personality. Based on the results, he made some interesting connections:

• Fetal position: This is the most common sleep position among women. It’s associated with traits like shyness and sensitivity.
• Side sleeping with arms outstretched: People who sleep like this may be open-minded but somewhat suspicious. They tend to be decisive and stick to their choices. People who sleep like this often feel they get enough rest and consider themselves healthier than others.
• Stomach sleeping with hands up or under the pillow: This position suggests a sociable, confident person who dislikes criticism.

However, it’s important to take these findings with caution. The survey had its limitations: the sample size was small, it didn’t hold up in a second round of testing, and people self-reported their sleep positions and personalities, leaving room for bias.

A similar survey by the Better Sleep Council (BSC) in the U.S. offered additional insights. It revealed that those with higher education levels are more likely to sleep in the fetal position. Generational differences also come into play here. Gen X and millennials are more likely to sleep on their stomachs than baby boomers, who tend to favor side sleeping with arms outstretched. Introverted people tend to avoid sleeping on their stomachs with their arms raised.

All predictions should be taken with caution

Despite these observations, many sleep researchers, including Jade Wu, a sleep psychologist, caution against over-interpreting these results. She notes that there isn’t conclusive evidence linking sleep position to personality. Professor Idzikowski himself emphasized that his findings weren’t meant to be definitive.

Historically, researcher Samuel Dunkell explored the link between sleep positions and personality in the 1970s. He believed that the fetal position, where a person curls up on their side, was associated with anxiety and emotional sensitivity. Meanwhile, the “semi-fetal” position, which is a bit more stretched out, indicated a more well-adjusted person.

Here’s a closer look at some other popular sleep positions:

• Soldier position: When sleeping on your back with your arms by your sides, this position is linked to quiet, reserved individuals with high standards.
• Starfish position: Sleeping on your back with arms raised and legs extended is associated with people who are good listeners, value friendships, and are quick to help others.

Finally, as other commenters said, the stomach position, where a person sleeps with their hands around their pillow and head turned to the side, is linked to sociable people. However, these predictions say that such people are also sensitive and easily unsettled by criticism. Interestingly, stomach sleeping is the least common position and has been associated with traits like anxiety, impulsiveness, and rigidity.

While these correlations are intriguing, it’s important to remember that they are not definitive. The way we sleep may offer a glimpse into our personalities, but it’s far from a clear-cut science. Sleep, after all, is a deeply personal and complex part of our lives, shaped by many factors beyond just personality.

Sleeping and your health: what positions can indicate issue?

Sleep positions can be linked to many things like pain in certain places, personality traits, and even health issues. There are more evidence that certain wellness aspects can have links to preferred sleeping positions. Both negative and positive things can be indicated by the position you sleep in^[2].

Side sleeping can relieve snoring and improve digestion, depending on the side you lie on. Sleeping on the right side can trigger issues with acid reflux and digestive tract problems. If you sleep on the left side, your stomach is below your esophagus, which makes it difficult for the acid from your stomach to rise.

Side sleeping can also help with lower back pain and improve spinal alignment, but neck or shoulder pain can make it difficult to choose such a position. Stomach sleeping also puts stress on your neck and lower back, so sleeping in softer beds and on the belly can affect your spine and cause pain that lingers throughout the day.

Sleeping on your back helps with intraocular pressure elevation, a risk factor for glaucoma. Sensitive skin issues and problems like breakouts, irritation, or facial creases can influence people to choose such a position. Back sleepers can also reduce sudden infant death syndrome in children.

"People with obstructive sleep apnea, a serious medical condition where the airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep, tend to have more breathing problems when back sleeping. This is likely because the airway is more easily blocked when lying on the back," experts comment.

This might be the best position to alleviate the lower back and neck pain. Sleeping on your back is not that common, but it can be beneficial. If you have no issues, your sleeping position will suit you best.