The position we sleep in could reveal our personality . And this isn't just us saying it, it's science, which has taken it upon itself not only to find out more about it, but also to establish some general guidelines.
"Tell me how you sleep and I'll tell you who you are."
This is sleep expert Professor Chris Idzikowski, former director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre in Scotland.
His extensive experience in the world of sleep and patients led him to further research and classify some personality traits based on sleeping position.
Sleep and its relationship with your personality
The benefits of sleeping well are well known: recharging energy , increasing creativity, helping you lose weight, improving memory , protecting your heart... But what could it say about a person's personality?
“We're all aware of our body language when we're awake, but this is the first time we've been able to see what our subconscious posture says about us.”
said Chris Idzikowski during an interview for the BBC.
“The interesting thing is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect,” he added.
According to the author, we would find six different sleeping positions , which would indicate six different personality types.
Your personality according to your sleeping position
1. Fetal position
This refers to people who sleep on their side (which, incidentally, is the most common sleeping position), but curled up. According to the author, those who sleep this way may have a personality that may appear somewhat tough on the outside, but are sensitive deep down. They may also be shy at first , but then gain confidence.
2. Trunk posture
This is the sideways position, but with arms stretched out and pointing down (something that isn't that common). These people tend to be social and calm, but at the same time somewhat suspicious . On the other hand, they quickly get along with other people and integrate easily into groups.
3. Longing posture
These people sleep on their side, but with their arms forward. Idzikowski points out that they tend to be indecisive . However, when they finally make a decision, they stick to it. They also have an open and sociable nature, which gives them a great advantage when meeting people.
4. Soldier's posture
Do you usually sleep on your back with both arms at your sides? That's what this position is called. Those who sleep in this position tend to be quiet and reserved , which is why they're not usually around general noise.
5. Starfish Pose
This involves sleeping on your back, but with your arms wrapped around the pillow. These people are considered trustworthy and very good friends. Other virtues include listening and helping out whenever the situation warrants, but without being the center of attention.
6. Free fall position
This refers to those who sleep face down, with their hands wrapped around the pillow and their head turned to one side to breathe. According to the author's research, these people are sociable, yet brash . It also indicates that they tend to have a nervous personality, especially if they leave their comfort zone.
A differentiating element when sleeping would be your pillow
Beyond your sleeping position and personality, the truth is that a comfortable and functional pillow can make a difference in our journey to achieving a restful night's sleep.
- Side-sleeping pillows: These have a special center that allows the person to rest their shoulder on the pillow. The pillows benefit the neck and back. This ergonomic support also provides greater comfort for the arms.
- Self-cooling pillows: There are pillows fused with gel particles or with holes in the foam that allow them to stay ventilated and cool at all times.
- Elevation-Altering Pillows: Why spend money on higher and lower pillows when one can do the job? This pillowcase allows you to interchange mini pillows to suit your patient's needs.
- Pillows for snorers: These offer all the comfort in the world while being designed to elevate your head enough to keep your airway open.
Sleeping posture and personality, related worlds
As we've seen, resting position and certain personality traits are linked. The former would say a lot about the latter.
And now that we know how they relate, perhaps the next step is what to do with that information. Clearly, we all always have something more to learn, and if our sleeping posture already says a lot about who we are, perhaps it's worth exploring how much we can improve.
