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.
“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 told BBC News. “What’s interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect.”
Here’s 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 “tough on the outside but sensitive at heart.” This was also the most common reported sleeping position from the survey – 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 one’s 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 one’s side with the arms stretched out in front of the chest. “People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical,” BBC News reported. “They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it.”
The Soldier Sleeping Position
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The Soldier Position is when one sleeps flat on one’s back, with his or her arms down at the sides. Idzikowski’s 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 one’s stomach, with the arms cradling a pillow. BBC News described these sleepers as “Often gregarious and brash people, [who] can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and don’t like criticism, or extreme situations.”
The Starfish Sleeping Position
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Starfish position sleepers is when one sleeps on one’s back, with the arms up around a pillow. According to Idzikowski’s survey, it said these people didn’t like to be the center of attention, but they are good listeners who will offer help when someone needs it.
Obviously, Idzikowski’s results aren’t totally conclusive. According to the BBC News report, some of the respondents surveyed said their sleep positions varied or they didn’t know how they slept. Nevertheless, it’s pretty interesting to think that one’s personality could be somehow involved in a person’s sleep position.
[Editor’s 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 one’s own health.]
Featured image: Lizardflms/Shutterstock
