At the end of a long day when you snuggle down into the Land of Nod, are you on your side, back or stomach? All curled up in the fetal position? Arms spread wide to say, “I’m King of the Bed?”
Apparently, the way you sleep says a lot about you.
First, sleeping in the fetal position—the most common way people sleep—may be a detriment to your success at work.
The fetal position is a low power position, and spending lots of time in such poses may impact the way we think and feel, some experts say. They suggest that sleeping in the fetal position may cause us to wake with feelings of vulnerability and inhibit confidence.
So if you like to sleep that way, you can combat this alleged subliminal impact by adopting a large-and-in-charge power position before you leave the house.
Second, your sleep position may reflect your personality.
Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, analyzed six common sleeping positions among 1,000 survey participants – and found evidence linking each to a particular personality type.
For example, those who sleep in the fetal position (41% of participants and twice as many women as men) tend to put up a tough front but are inwardly sensitive and highly emotional.
Do you sleep “like a log?” Fifteen percent of participants slept on their sides with both arms down at their sides. This sleep position may indicate that you’re an easy-going, social person who likes being part of the in-crowd. You may easily trust strangers, but also be gullible.
Side sleeping with both arms out in front (13%) may mean you have an open nature, but can be suspicious and cynical. Slow to make decisions, you’re unlikely to change your mind once you do.
Lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow (5%) indicates that you’re a good friend who’s always ready to listen to and help others.
Of course, some of this stuff merits chicken-or-egg kinds of questions. When you’re talking about things like career success and personality vs. sleep position, it’s hard to infer what causes what or comes first. But it’s sure interesting to ponder.
For more on sleep positions and personality types, go here. And regardless of whether you think this is all legit or a bunch of baloney, send us your thoughts and experiences. We love things sleep-related!
Sleep tight, Urbanites!