Does the way we sleep offer any clues about our individual personalities? According to sleep specialist Chris Idzikowski, it just might.
Idzikowski surveyed 1,004 British people about what position they sleep in. He then asked subjects to look at a list of adjectives, and select those that they thought developed their personalities. From the survey, Idzikowski identified six common sleeping positions and offered some clues about what they mean.
โWe 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,โ Idzikowski told BBC News. โWhatโs interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect.โ
Hereโs what he found:
The Fetal Sleeping Position
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The Fetal Sleeping Position is when people sleep curled up and on their side. According to Idzikowski, people who sleep in the fetal position are โtough on the outside but sensitive at heart.โ This was also the most common reported sleeping position from the survey โ nearly 41 percent of the 1,000 respondents sleep in the Fetal position.
The Log Position
The Log Position, or when people tend to sleep on oneโs side with the arms down at the sides are said to be people who described themselves as sociable, easygoing, and trusting. However, says Idzikowski, they may also be gullible.
Related: Which Sleep Position Is Best?
The Yearner Position
The Yearner Position is when one sleeps on oneโs side with the arms stretched out in front of the chest. โPeople who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical,โ BBC News reported. โThey are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it.โ
The Soldier Sleeping Position
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The Soldier Position is when one sleeps flat on oneโs back, with his or her arms down at the sides. Idzikowskiโs survey found that people who slept in this position described themselves as reserved and quiet. They also expect high standards from themselves and from others.
The Freefall Sleeping Position
The Freefall Position is when one sleeps on oneโs stomach, with the arms cradling a pillow. BBC News described these sleepers as โOften gregarious and brash people, [who] can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and donโt like criticism, or extreme situations.โ
The Starfish Sleeping Position
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Starfish position sleepers is when one sleeps on oneโs back, with the arms up around a pillow. According to Idzikowskiโs survey, it said these people didnโt like to be the center of attention, but they are good listeners who will offer help when someone needs it.
Obviously, Idzikowskiโs results arenโt totally conclusive. According to the BBC News report, some of the respondents surveyed said their sleep positions varied or they didnโt know how they slept. Nevertheless, itโs pretty interesting to think that oneโs personality could be somehow involved in a personโs sleep position.
[Editorโs Note: The information provided should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a sleep doctor or other medical expert if questions arise around oneโs own health.]
Featured image: Lizardflms/Shutterstock
