What Does Your Sleep Position Say About You?
And what kind of mattress do you need because of it?
Jun 10th, 2022 •
When it’s time to tuck in for the night, do you roll to your side and slide your arms up under your pillow?
If so, you might take a little while to warm up to new people.
There are six primary sleeping positions, and according to Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, these positions are linked to specific personality types.
So what does your sleeping position say about you? And what should you do about it? Read on to find out.
1. The Fetus
What it looks like
You curl up on your side, with your knees drawn up toward your chest, just like a baby floating in the womb.
What it says about you
You probably have a tough exterior that hides a tender heart. You may take some time to warm up to new people. According to Idzikowski’s sleep study, this is the most common of all the sleeping positions. 41% of participants slept this way, and there were nearly twice as many women as men.
Health Considerations
Sleeping on your side places more stress on your internal organs than other positions do. Think of your stomach, liver, and lungs–everything that gets crunched up there in the middle for hours on end. It’s better to curl up on your right side than your left, if you can.
Mattress Tip
A softer mattress is the best mattress for side sleepers. It allows your shoulders and hips to sink in a bit, to maintain good spinal alignment. Look for a plush mattress or one with contouring support.
2. The Log
What It Looks Like
You lie down on your side, with both arms straight at your sides.
What It Says About You
Log sleepers tend to be sociable, friendly, and easy-going. They are relatively trusting of strangers, and enjoy being a part of the in-crowd. The downside? If you’re a log sleeper, you might be a bit gullible.
Health Considerations
Sleeping straight on your side is better for spinal alignment than curling up in the fetus position. Chances are if you sleep this way you’ll have less back pain! But any kind of side sleeping can leave you waking with some stiffness.
Mattress Tip
Like the fetus position-sleepers, a plush, soft mattress is best for side sleeping. It will provide support, but also enough give to take pressure off major pressure points.
3. The Yearner
What It Looks Like
You lie down on your side, with both arms reaching out in front of you.
What It Says About You
Yearners tend to like new things and are open to new experiences and people. They also tend to be suspicious and stubborn. They are often slow to make decisions. Interestingly, Baby Boomers are more likely to sleep this way than Millennials or Gen Xers.
Health Considerations
Any kind of side sleeping can leave you waking with some stiffness. If you have back or joint pain, stretching before you climb into bed, and first thing in the morning, can help.
Mattress Tip
A plush, soft mattress is best for side sleeping. It will provide support, but also enough give to take pressure off major pressure points.
4. The Soldier
What It Looks Like
You lie flat on your back, with your arms down at your sides.
What It Says About You
You don’t like fuss. You set high standards for yourself and for others – just like a soldier! You also tend to be reserved.
Health Considerations
The soldier position is great for your back! But it’s not great for digestion. Professor Idzikowski said: “Lying down flat means that stomach contents can more readily be worked back up into the mouth.”
Mattress Tip
The best mattress for back sleepers is a medium-firm mattress. This level of firmness allows for natural spine alignment and pressure relief in the places you need it most.
5. The Starfish
What It Looks Like
You lie flat on your back with your arms outstretched, taking up all the room you want.
What It Says About You
This might be surprising given their sleep position, but starfish sleepers actually don’t like to be the center of attention. According to Idzikowsi, starfish sleepers make great friends because they such good listeners, and they tend to offer help when needed.
Health Considerations
The starfish is a back sleeping position, so similar to the soldier, it’s one of the best sleep positions to prevent back pain. It’s also a little harder on digestion, and is associated with snoring.
Mattress Tip
The best mattress for back sleepers is a medium-firm mattress. This level of firmness allows for natural spine alignment and pressure relief in the places you need it most. The best mattresses for combination sleepers is also in that firmness range.
6. The Freefall
What It Looks Like
You sleep on your stomach with your arms up by your pillow and your head turned to the side (so you can breathe).
What It Says About You
You’re warm, chatty, and probably extroverted. In fact, you can be a bit brash. You dislike criticism – it makes you uncomfortable and you take it personally.
Health Considerations
The freefall position is good for digestion.
Mattress Tip
The best mattress for stomach sleepers is a medium-firm mattress with a slightly softer top. And if you’re a stomach sleeper, make sure your pillow is thin and soft to keep your neck in a natural position.
While your sleep position isn’t necessarily the strongest indicator of personality, the link is there and interesting to explore. Plus, let’s face it, you’ve made personality judgments on stranger things…like the quiz that told you your destiny based on what you ate for dinner last night.
Still have questions about your sleeping position and which mattress might be best for you? Check out our guides for more information, or leave us a note here and we’ll get back to you as soon as we wake up from our nap.
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