What does your sleep position reveal about your personality?

bigbutchmistie · 04-30-2010, 07:12 PM

by Jessica Ashley, Shine staff, on Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:55pm PDT

These days, the way that I sleep simply says, "I am happy to be single and spending five to seven hours sprawled out in the center of my bed alone."

At other points, my tightly squeezed eyes and curled-up body would have screamed, "I know the baby will wake up/someone will start snoring/the alarm will begin blaring as soon as I finally, finally, finally get to sleep."

Years and years ago, the corpse-looking college student still in her clothes would have mumbled something like, "Finals. Boys. Beer."

Our lives, the amount of sleep we get, and how well we actually rest during those nighttime hours may change drastically over time. However, one sleep researcher says that our body position in bed could say something about who we are, not just what else is happening in our lives.

Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, says that a study of 1,000 Brits revealed that the six most common sleeping positions are indicative of personality types.

If this sounds ridiculous (and honestly, I'd love to see information on this study and the analysis fleshed out further than any of the reports I could find), consider that Idzikowski says it comes down to body language.

"We are all aware of our body language when we are awake but this is the first time we have been able to see what our subconscious posture says about us," Idzikowski said. "What's interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect."

The research also links certain sleeping positions with health risks. Some aid digestion while others spur on snoring and restlessness.

Here are the six common sleeping positions and correlated personality traits and health implications, according to this study.

Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly.

Log position - If you sleep on your side with both arms down, you are a social, easy-going person who is trusting, sometimes to the point of being gullible. The study showed 15% of people sleep like a log.

Yearner position - A close third is the side-lying position with both arms out in front of the body, with 13% of partipants sleeping like this. Yearners are noted to be open-minded and still cynical, suspicious, and stubborn about sticking to decisions once they are made.

Soldier position - These sleepers lie on their backs with arms down and kept close to the body. This 8% study is said to be reserved, quiet, without fuss, and hold themselves and others to a high standard. Soldier sleepers have a higher likelihood for snoring due to the flat-back position, which may not cause them to wake up often but may result in a less restful night's sleep.

Freefall position - Those people who lie on their bellies with arms under or wrapped around a pillow with head turned to the side, make up 7% of the population studied. Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism.

Starfish position - Sleepers who lie on their backs with arms up near their head or the pillow account for 5% of participants. These people are good listeners, helpful, and are uncomfortable being the center of attention. People who sleep in starfish position are more likely to snore and to suffer from a poor night's sleep more often.

If you think you are one of those people who move through all of these positions, that's not likely to really be the case. Idzikowski said the research reveals most people stay in the same position all night and only 5% lay differently night by night. Also interesting is that the study showed only one in ten people cover their bodies entirely with a blanket, with most people exposing an arm, leg, or both feet.

Let's see how the Shine readers are resting these days. No need to get yourself to a sleep lab or set up the video cam to run all night. We'll take your word for it on our own not-so-scientific but still fascinating research.

bigbutchmistie · 04-30-2010, 07:13 PM

I sleep in the

Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly

Write14u · 04-30-2010, 10:55 PM

I'm a free faller. I can start off on my side or on my back, but I can't truly sleep unless I'm on my stomach. And yes, I'm brash and outgoing. *grin*

Soft*Silver · 04-30-2010, 11:05 PM

yearner............

Guy · 04-30-2010, 11:24 PM

I guess im brash and outgoing too

Cyclopea · 05-01-2010, 12:15 AM

I don't sleep in any of those positions!
I sleep half on my side half on my belly with one leg straight and the other stretching out and my arms in front of me but so tightly clenched that they often fall asleep. Maybe an upper-fetal lower wtf situation. What does that mean??? lol

afixer · 05-03-2010, 09:39 AM

I sleep in any position that allows me to get to sleep.

mostly a mix of fetal and yearner with a splash of freefall.

PinkieLee · 05-03-2010, 09:44 AM

Yep, another freefaller here, too!

I start out on my side, with one arm ALWAYS underneath a pillow, but always end up on my stomach.

bigbutchmistie · 07-31-2011, 10:22 AM

Bumpity Bump Bump BUMP! LOL

Abigail Crabby · 07-31-2011, 10:25 AM

Freefall position - Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism.

luv2luvgirls · 07-31-2011, 10:32 AM

free faller...

theoddz · 07-31-2011, 10:35 AM

Soldier, mostly, with a tad of Yearner.

~Theo~

Starbuck · 10-17-2011, 09:37 PM

First of all, BUMP! I'm a fetal position sleeper to get to sleep, then it never fails I wake up as a free faller. I hate that because it makes my neck hurt.

BugsAndKisses · 10-18-2011, 03:30 AM

Yearner position...i can be prety stubborn n bullheaded....but isn't everyone!?

1QuirkyKiwi · 10-18-2011, 07:28 AM

I sleep in the recovery style position, with my right knee bent up and slightly more on my tummy and with a body pillow under so that my spine is kept straighter. Not sure what that says about me......lol!

04-30-2010, 07:12 PM	#1
bigbutchmistie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Since You Need A Label. Butch Relationship Status: Still Dreaming Of My Happily Ever After Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 4,009 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,950 Thanked 5,364 Times in 1,941 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	What does your sleep position reveal about your personality? by Jessica Ashley, Shine staff, on Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:55pm PDT These days, the way that I sleep simply says, "I am happy to be single and spending five to seven hours sprawled out in the center of my bed alone." At other points, my tightly squeezed eyes and curled-up body would have screamed, "I know the baby will wake up/someone will start snoring/the alarm will begin blaring as soon as I finally, finally, finally get to sleep." Years and years ago, the corpse-looking college student still in her clothes would have mumbled something like, "Finals. Boys. Beer." Our lives, the amount of sleep we get, and how well we actually rest during those nighttime hours may change drastically over time. However, one sleep researcher says that our body position in bed could say something about who we are, not just what else is happening in our lives. Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, says that a study of 1,000 Brits revealed that the six most common sleeping positions are indicative of personality types. If this sounds ridiculous (and honestly, I'd love to see information on this study and the analysis fleshed out further than any of the reports I could find), consider that Idzikowski says it comes down to body language. "We are all aware of our body language when we are awake but this is the first time we have been able to see what our subconscious posture says about us," Idzikowski said. "What's interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect." The research also links certain sleeping positions with health risks. Some aid digestion while others spur on snoring and restlessness. Here are the six common sleeping positions and correlated personality traits and health implications, according to this study. Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly. Log position - If you sleep on your side with both arms down, you are a social, easy-going person who is trusting, sometimes to the point of being gullible. The study showed 15% of people sleep like a log. Yearner position - A close third is the side-lying position with both arms out in front of the body, with 13% of partipants sleeping like this. Yearners are noted to be open-minded and still cynical, suspicious, and stubborn about sticking to decisions once they are made. Soldier position - These sleepers lie on their backs with arms down and kept close to the body. This 8% study is said to be reserved, quiet, without fuss, and hold themselves and others to a high standard. Soldier sleepers have a higher likelihood for snoring due to the flat-back position, which may not cause them to wake up often but may result in a less restful night's sleep. Freefall position - Those people who lie on their bellies with arms under or wrapped around a pillow with head turned to the side, make up 7% of the population studied. Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism. Starfish position - Sleepers who lie on their backs with arms up near their head or the pillow account for 5% of participants. These people are good listeners, helpful, and are uncomfortable being the center of attention. People who sleep in starfish position are more likely to snore and to suffer from a poor night's sleep more often. If you think you are one of those people who move through all of these positions, that's not likely to really be the case. Idzikowski said the research reveals most people stay in the same position all night and only 5% lay differently night by night. Also interesting is that the study showed only one in ten people cover their bodies entirely with a blanket, with most people exposing an arm, leg, or both feet. Let's see how the Shine readers are resting these days. No need to get yourself to a sleep lab or set up the video cam to run all night. We'll take your word for it on our own not-so-scientific but still fascinating research.

04-30-2010, 10:55 PM	#3
Write14u Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: I'm easy Relationship Status: She's some kind of wonderful. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks Posts: 626 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 240 Thanked 714 Times in 325 Posts Rep Power: 759422	I'm a free faller. I can start off on my side or on my back, but I can't truly sleep unless I'm on my stomach. And yes, I'm brash and outgoing. grin __________________ "I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days." -- Crash Davis, Bull Durham

04-30-2010, 11:05 PM	#4
SoftSilver Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: rose cottage Posts: 5,592 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,948 Thanked 15,907 Times in 4,062 Posts Rep Power*: 21474857	yearner............ __________________ Pole bachit, a lis chuye. The field sees, the forest hears

05-01-2010, 12:15 AM	#6
Cyclopea Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Lesbian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Exit Zero Posts: 1,267 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,694 Thanked 1,615 Times in 632 Posts Rep Power: 226200	I don't sleep in any of those positions! I sleep half on my side half on my belly with one leg straight and the other stretching out and my arms in front of me but so tightly clenched that they often fall asleep. Maybe an upper-fetal lower wtf situation. What does that mean??? lol __________________ http://forum.axishistory.com/images/...arious/eye.jpg

07-31-2011, 10:25 AM	#10
Abigail Crabby Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Queer Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Princess Relationship Status: Single, but sociable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mount Airy, NC Posts: 4,226 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 14,554 Thanked 9,668 Times in 2,484 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Freefall position - Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism. __________________ Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Proust Turns whatever happens to you into a positive...

04-30-2010, 07:13 PM	#2
bigbutchmistie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Since You Need A Label. Butch Relationship Status: Still Dreaming Of My Happily Ever After Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 4,009 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,950 Thanked 5,364 Times in 1,941 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	I sleep in the Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly

04-30-2010, 11:24 PM	#5
Guy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: . Posts: 1,858 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,258 Thanked 2,574 Times in 889 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I guess im brash and outgoing too

05-03-2010, 09:39 AM	#7
afixer Member How Do You Identify?: human Preferred Pronoun?: ma'am Relationship Status: adrift in my head Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: in and out of the woods Posts: 989 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 491 Thanked 1,508 Times in 659 Posts Rep Power: 8660555	I sleep in any position that allows me to get to sleep. mostly a mix of fetal and yearner with a splash of freefall.

05-03-2010, 09:44 AM	#8
PinkieLee Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: I need ya boo, gotta see ya boo Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Big Money Texas Posts: 4,708 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 24,309 Thanked 13,074 Times in 3,049 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Yep, another freefaller here, too! I start out on my side, with one arm ALWAYS underneath a pillow, but always end up on my stomach.

07-31-2011, 10:22 AM	#9
bigbutchmistie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Since You Need A Label. Butch Relationship Status: Still Dreaming Of My Happily Ever After Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 4,009 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,950 Thanked 5,364 Times in 1,941 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Bumpity Bump Bump BUMP! LOL

07-31-2011, 10:32 AM	#11
luv2luvgirls Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Asshole Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kentucky/Austin/Wherever Posts: 2,310 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,387 Thanked 5,470 Times in 1,827 Posts Rep Power: 0	free faller...

07-31-2011, 10:35 AM	#12
theoddz Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Cranky Old Poop Preferred Pronoun?: Mr. Beast Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,532 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,086 Thanked 9,941 Times in 2,507 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Soldier, mostly, with a tad of Yearner. *~Theo~* __________________ *"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."* -- J. R. R. Tolkien

10-17-2011, 09:37 PM	#13
Starbuck Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Soft Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 2,436 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,378 Thanked 2,148 Times in 756 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Sleeping Position First of all, BUMP! I'm a fetal position sleeper to get to sleep, then it never fails I wake up as a free faller. I hate that because it makes my neck hurt. __________________ To forgive is to set the prisoner free, And then discover the prisoner was you.

10-18-2011, 03:30 AM	#14
BugsAndKisses Member How Do You Identify?: ladybug, lover of little things Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Settled Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 341 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 278 Thanked 864 Times in 215 Posts Rep Power: 10789160	Yearner position...i can be prety stubborn n bullheaded....but isn't everyone!? __________________ The past is history, the future is a mystery but today is a gift, thats why its called the present http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...psdd598a2e.jpg

10-18-2011, 07:28 AM	#15
1QuirkyKiwi Senior Member How Do You Identify?: BBW. Unique femininity that does not encompass the western paradigm. Preferred Pronoun?: Anything Respectful! Relationship Status: Single, Happy, not Desparate or Looking, but Open to Possibilities... Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Europe and Aotearoa on a 5:2 ratio. Posts: 2,308 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,003 Thanked 6,035 Times in 1,617 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I sleep in the recovery style position, with my right knee bent up and slightly more on my tummy and with a body pillow under so that my spine is kept straighter. Not sure what that says about me......lol! __________________ What will make the difference to me is your strength of character and what's in your heart...