What Your Sleeping Position Says About You

Ever take the Myers-Briggs Personality test? Are you the type to question what your enneagram number is? How about what your sleeping position could mean? 

Experts contend that sleeping positions not only affect our physical attributes but our psychological ones, too. 

So, is it true that your personal behaviors could be affected by the way you sleep? In short, the answer is yes. 

What Does the Science Say?

First of all, quality sleep is imperative for good health. Make sure you have comfortable bedding that will provide the best night’s rest. If you need ideas, check out our Luxury Comforters and Bed Sheets 

Most people spend about 6 to 9 hours asleep per day. In one lifetime, that’s roughly 229,961 hours. That’s almost a third of our lives we spend sleeping! It might be time to start investing in some quality comforters, pillows, and bedsheets. 

An unideal position can increase pain and tension throughout your body, and reduce the quality of your sleep. Experts say that we shift our sleeping position 10 to 30 times each night.* Do you wake up feeling stiff and tired? Your sleeping position might be impacting you. Sleeping positions can say a lot about not just your well-being, but your psyche, too.

Whether you’re curious about your personality type or you’re wondering how you can find the best sleep position to meet your sleeping needs, keep reading to find out more!

The Fetal Position

You’re as cute as a button, like a baby! If you’re a fetal sleeper, you lie on your side with your knees bent towards your chest. This is the most common position, with about 47% of Americans curling up like a baby. This position can help with snoring and lower back pain. Women tend to lean toward this position more than men.*

Possible Personality Attributes

People who sleep in the fetal position are typically introverted. You’re shy and sensitive, and can be a bit timid in big crowds. You’re usually not one to start a conversation with new people. But you’re a good-natured, sweet egg once people get to know you.

The Freefaller Position

You’re not afraid of heights, you skydiver, you. If you’re a freefalling sleeper, you lie on your stomach with your hands up by your pillow and your head turned to the side. Interestingly enough, this position is most common among millennials and Gen X. This position can potentially also help with snoring.

Possible Personality Attributes

People who sleep in the freefaller position are usually pretty confident. You’re the type of person to be daring and spontaneous. You’re up for adventure and always ready for a challenge. You love meeting new people and prefer social gatherings over a night at home. 

The Log Position

Sleeping like a log, eh? If you’re a log sleeper, you enjoy lying on your side with both of your arms facing down by either side of your body. Roughly only 15% of Americans report sleeping “like a log.” This position can possibly help out if you experience sleep apnea.* 

Possible Personality Attributes

People who sleep in the log position are usually very social. You can be quite gullible due to your innocent, trusting nature. Mellow and gregarious, however, log sleepers make for some super amiable friends. You love spending time with your friends and making new ones.  

The Starfish Position

You’re the star of the show. If you’re a starfish sleeper, you like to lie on your back with your arms up near your pillow and your legs extended outward. Men are more likely to sleep in this position than women. This position can protect your back and neck from stiffness and pain.

Possible Personality Attributes

People who sleep in the starfish position are altruistic, giving individuals. You tend to be selfless and compassionate toward others, and you love to help out in any way you can. Most would probably catch you volunteering or lending a hand to a neighbor in need. 

The Tummy Position

Breathe! If you’re a tummy sleeper, you lie completely flat on your stomach and chest, usually with your face smothered in your pillow. Most doctors don’t recommend this position since it can exert extra stress on your spine, but if you’re a snorer, this position may help. 

Possible Personality Attributes

People who sleep in the tummy position are quite the compulsive, foolhardy bunch. You can be anxious at times and, to new people, you can come off as a bit brazen since you are apprehensive about any kind of criticism. Little do they know you are one of the most friendly people out there.

The Pillow Hugger Position 

Not a tree, but this will do. If you’re a pillow-hugging sleeper, you like snuggling up close to your pillow, usually while lying on your side, and you like wrapping your body around the pillow, too. Much like cuddling a partner, this position can actually release oxytocin in your brain which is shown to relieve stress and pain, boosting your immune system.* 

Possible Personality Attributes

People who hug their pillows when they sleep are super loveable. You are just a total sweetheart and probably lean more toward the hopeless romantic side of things. You revere close relationships and you place those deep bonds at the top of your priority list. 

Which Position Is The Best?

You want to find a position for yourself that promises good spinal alignment and promotes quality sleep. According to sleep authorities, the best positions are the ones where you are lying on your side or on your back. Side and back positions help with the natural restorative process your body undergoes during the deep non-REM stage of sleep, and can even relieve stress on your spine. Evidently, some positions are healthier than others, especially for varying health conditions.* We suggest consulting your doctor about what the best sleep position might be for your personal needs. 

Your comfort also ties into the quality of your sleep. If you’re a stomach sleeper and you wouldn’t have it any other way, not too worry - you just need the right pillow and bedding to support you. We recommend our Down Alternative Pillows and our various bedding options, which can be found by clicking on this link. 

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If you found this blog post insightful, comment below and let us know what your sleeping position is and if any of the attributes match up! The Cosy community would love to hear from you!

Resources: 

‌Cahn, Lauren. “This Is What Your Sleep Position Reveals About Your Personality.” Reader’s Digest, 21 Aug. 2019, www.rd.com/list/sleep-position-personality/.

‌Soriano, Krista. “What Your Sleep Position Says about You.” Psycom, 23 Sept. 2021, www.psycom.net/sleep-position-personality-traits.

‌N/A. “The 4 Stages of Sleep and What Science Says about Your Sleeping Position Read More At: Https://Www.scienceofpeople.com/Sleep/.” Science of People, 2022.

‌Raypole, Crystal. “What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About Your Personality and Health?” Healthline, 26 Feb. 2021, www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/what-does-your-sleeping-position-say-about-you.

‌“What Are the Best Positions for Sleeping?” Sleep Foundation, 29 Apr. 2021, www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeping-positions.

‌Choosing the Best Sleep Position. 2020, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/choosing-the-best-sleep-position.

‌Better Sleep Council. “Soldier to Starfish: How You Snooze Says a Lot about You.” The Sleep Better Council, July 2017, bettersleep.org/research/survey-sleep-positions/.

Stahl, Michael. “The Benefits of Cuddling with Inanimate Objects at Night.” Vice, 31, March, 2017, https://www.vice.com/en/article/vvkqw8/the-benefits-of-cuddling-with-inanimate-objects-at-night.