Secrets Your Posture Tells While You Sleep
Personality Traits Revealed Via Sleep Position
Jun 8, 2009
Unspoken body language speaks volumes about how one actually feels. When one seeks to appear interested and engaged, posture straightens, arms are unfolded and eye contact is maintained during conversation.
But scientific evidence suggests that posture during sleep reveals insight into the psyche. According to the BBC in London, Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, has identified six of the most common sleep postures and how they relate to personality type.
Fetal Sleeping Position: This is the most common sleep posture, with 41 percent of the 1,000 people tested falling asleep on one side, with their knees pulled up toward the chest and arms in a prayer position with hands by the face. Those who curl up in the fetal position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet someone, but soon relax. More than twice as many women (51 percent) as men tend to sleep in this position.
Log Sleeping Position (15%): These people fall asleep on their side, with both arms down by their side. They are easy going, social people who like being part of the 'in' crowd, and are trusting of strangers. However, they may be gullible.
The Yearner Sleeping Position (13%): People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front tend to have an open nature, but can be suspicious and cynical. This person is slow to make up his mind, but once a decision is made, he is unlikely ever change his mind.
Soldier Sleeping Position (8%): These folks lie on their back with both arms pinned to their sides. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don't make trouble, but set high standards for themselves and for others.
Freefall Sleeping Position (7%): These types lie on their belly with hands around the pillow, head turned to one side. Described as gregarious and brash people, these personalities can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and find criticism or extreme situations difficult to accept.
Starfish Sleeping Position (5%): Those who fall asleep on their back with both arms up around the pillow make good friends because they readily listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don't like to be the center of attention.
Professor Idzikowski also examined the health effects of various sleeping positions. He concluded that the freefall position is good for digestion, while the starfish and soldier positions are more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night's sleep, because lying down flat allows stomach contents to be worked back up into the mouth, while those who lie on their back may end up snoring and breathing less easily during the night.
Research also revealed that most people are unlikely to change their sleeping position. Only five percent said they sleep in a different position every night.
While one can develop more self-awareness by becoming conscious of one's own sleep posture habits, it's interesting to study the sleep positions of friends and family. Take a peek and see what secrets their subconscious body language is telling.
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