You may not realize it, but your sleeping position plays an important role in the quality of sleep you get each night. It is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a mattress so that your body can be supported and comfortable and so you can wake up pain-free. But did you know your sleeping position can reveal certain parts of your personality? So, whether you prefer sleeping on your side, or your stomach, read on to find out what your preferred position says about you!
Back Sleepers
Sleeping on your back is the second most popular sleeping position after side sleeping, and it is said that one-third of our time spent sleeping is spent on our backs! Studies also show that if you sleep on your back, you’re more likely to have confidence in yourself. It is also said that back sleepers are more open than those who sleep on our sides or our fronts. There are a few ways you can sleep on your back, and the most common positions are:
- The starfish: This is exactly what you’d expect, a sleeper will be sprawled across the bed with legs and arms out, and this is said to mean that they do not like to be the centre of attention, but they are good at listening to others.
- The Soldier: This position means the sleeper will be lying straight on their backs, with legs straight and arms by their sides. This position is said to mean the sleeper is reserved but has high standards.
If you sleep on your back, no matter which position, if you don’t have the correct mattress to support you, you may end up with aches and pains, and you could be putting strain on your lumbar region. A back sleeper would benefit from a supportive mattress, like an innerspring or hybrid model, to support the alignment of the spine.
Side Sleepers
Sleeping on your side is the most popular way to sleep, with around 60% of adults sleeping this way. There are a few different ways to sleep on your side that are said to show a little bit about your personality; they are as follows:
- Fetal position: This position sees the sleeper’s body curled up into a ball and on one side. Studies have said that sleeping in this position means that you tend to be more anxious and emotional. It can also mean that you’re quite a shy person around new people.
- Log: This position finds the sleeper with both arms and legs extended into a true log shape, although many people will usually bend one arm. It can show that you are gullible because you trust people more easily, but it’s not all bad – it can also show that you’re sociable.
- Yearner: This is like the log position, but instead, the arms are pushed forward. People that sleep in this position are said to be open but can also be cynical and suspicious.
Side sleepers place a lot of pressure on their hips and shoulders, so, therefore, would benefit from choosing a mattress that can support these points and contour around them. A foam mattress works well for a side sleeper, as well as a hybrid mattress if more support is necessary.
Stomach Sleepers
This position is not as popular as the previous two we’ve mentioned. As we get older, less of us sleep on our fronts, which is probably due to the fact we are less flexible and therefore don’t find it as comfortable. Studies have shown that stomach sleepers tend to be anxious and less confident within themselves. They are also said to be impulsive and rigid. There is only one main position for a stomach sleeper, which is:
- Freefall: This position refers to the way the sleeper looks when lying face down, with their hands around or placed upon their pillow. This is said to show that sleepers that prefer this position are sensitive deep down and do not take well to criticism.
Stomach sleeping can place a lot of pressure on the back, and if your mattress is not supportive, it means that your spine can contort into a U shape while sleeping, meaning you’re likely to wake with back pain. A supportive mattress like an innerspring model can help with this. Stomach sleepers may want to avoid foam mattresses are they can sag and cannot provide the adequate support that some stomach sleepers may need.
