Sleeping Positions And Their Meanings

Body language speaks volumes about our inner selves, even in our sleep. Sleep studies and surveys have drawn some common connections between your preferred sleeping position and a few key personality traits. For instance, those of us who sleep in a log position are said to be more laid back, those who curl up into a fetal position are usually the strong-but-sensitive type, and those who sprawl out over the sheets like a starfish are more likely than not to be selfless individuals.

In this blog, we delve into these connections and also look into how nighttime posture affects the quality of your sleep.

Let’s dive in!

On Your Side

Side-sleeping is generally regarded as the healthiest and most comfortable way to sleep. It’s also known to be the position that shushes the snorers, helps those with hip issues, and is best for when there’s a bun in the oven. If you’re a side-sleeper, you’re likely to favor one of these positions:

1. Log

In the log sleeping position, you lie on your side with your arms resting straight down alongside your body. This position helps keep your spine aligned, opens up your airways, and improves circulation. On the flip side, sleeping like a log can cause shoulder and hip discomfort, facial wrinkles, and potential numbness on the side you slept on.

If you tend to snooze in the log position, you’re probably laid back, friendly and trusting. No wonder log sleepers are so well-loved!

2. Yearner

When in the yearner position, you sleep with your arms stretched out in front of you as if reaching out for something. Yearner sleepers tend to experience less snoring, improved digestive health, and relief from back pain. However, some report neck stiffness, arm discomfort, and limited range of motion when sleeping.

Generally, yearner sleepers are open-minded individuals, who tend to take their time when making decisions. But once a Yearner has made a choice, they’ll stick to it.

3. Fetal

Seems that sleeping like a baby follows us into adulthood! As the name suggests, the fetal sleep position is when you curl up like a fetus in the womb. This position can help you snore less, alleviate symptoms of acid reflux, and also promote feelings of comfort and security. But, due to the curling up of your body, you may experience restricted breathing, neck and spine misalignment, and an increased risk of overheating while sleeping.

If you often sleep in the fetal position, some research suggests that you’re emotional and comfort-seeking, so while you appear strong on the outside, you’re actually sensitive on the inside. Introverts tend to favor the fetal position.

On Your Back

With the exception of people struggling with sleep apnea or digestive issues, back-sleepers typically wake up feeling quite well-rested. Back sleeping positions come in two main varieties:

4. Soldier

The soldier sleeping position is when you lie on your back with your arms by your side – also known as the “army sleeping pose” or “military sleep position”. Sleeping like a soldier promotes spinal alignment, slows down facial wrinkling, and minimizes shoulder and neck strain. However, lying on your back like this can worsen snoring and increase the risk of sleep paralysis.

Soldier sleepers are more withdrawn and likely to adhere to strict moral codes. They also tend to feel a strong sense of duty, which makes them reliable and responsible.

5. Starfish

When in the starfish sleeping position, sleepers usually stretch out their limbs in opposite directions, much like the arms of a starfish radiating from its central body.The starfish sleeping position has been associated with less pain in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. However, if not executed properly, sleeping like a starfish may increase the risk for sleep apnea and snoring, among other things.

Starfish sleepers tend to value friendship, are good listeners, and are quick to help others when in need.

On Your Stomach

Also known as the prone position, this is when you sleep on your stomach with your head turned to one side. Sleeping on the stomach is one of the less common sleep positions, with most people preferring to sleep on their back, side, or a combination of both. But, if you tend to snooze on your belly, you likely favor this position:

6. Freefaller

In the freefall sleeping position, your head is turned to one side and your arms are wrapped around a pillow. The freefall position helps reduce snoring and other sleep apnea symptoms. However, it can lead to drawbacks like neck stiffness and back pain.

Freefallers are typically sociable, assertive, and adventurous (no wonder introverts show such a strong dislike to this position!) but often struggle to deal with criticism.

Regardless of the particular position you sleep in, or what that seems to say about your personality, the more important question is how to optimize your sleep for deeper, more restorative rest. Let’s talk about this next!

Tips for Optimizing Your Sleeping Position

Regardless of the sleep position you opt for, here are some practical tips to get yourself comfortable:

1. Find Your Comfort Zone: Experiment with different sleeping positions to determine which one feels most comfortable and supportive for your body. This may vary based on individual preferences and any underlying health conditions.

2. Align Your Spine: Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, aim to keep your spine in a neutral alignment. This helps reduce strain on your spine and muscles, promoting better posture and minimizing discomfort.

3. Use Supportive Pillows: Choose pillows like our Cuddler to support your head and neck according to your sleeping position. Our Cuddler is made of plant-based MelofoamTM, making it satisfyingly squashy and able to mold to your body in all positions:

• Back Sleepers: Place the Cuddler in a U shape, with the arch under your neck.
• Side Sleepers: Opt for the Cuddler’s L (or J) shape to fill the space between your neck and shoulder as well as between your knees.
• Stomach Sleepers: Place the Cuddler flat by your side to keep your arm movement unrestricted. 

4. Invest in a Quality Mattress: Your mattress should provide adequate support and comfort. Choose a mattress firmness that suits your sleeping position and body type. Replace your mattress if it’s sagging or causing discomfort.

5. Maintain Proper Body Alignment: Keep your body aligned from head to toe. Avoid twisting your spine or limbs unnaturally, as this can lead to muscle stiffness and discomfort.

6. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Before bed, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle stretching to promote relaxation and prepare your body for sleep.

7. Adjust Your Sleep Environment: Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it cool, dark, and quiet. Use blackout curtains, white noise machines, eye masks, or earplugs if necessary to create a relaxing atmosphere.

8. Consult with a Healthcare Professional: If you experience chronic pain or have specific health concerns affecting your sleep, consult with a healthcare professional or a sleep specialist for personalized advice and recommendations.

By optimizing your sleeping position and environment, you can enhance the quality of your sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and energized each day.

Our Recommended Sleeping Position

Side sleeping is the healthiest sleeping position, so it comes highly recommended from us too. But, we understand that sleeping on your side may not feel natural or comfortable to every single sleeper, so whether you prefer a specific position or not, a surefire way to sweeten your slumber is with our chunky-knit Cotton Napper.

Here are four ways our weighted blanket can help you get better sleep:

1. Combat Excessive Cortisol

Cortisol is the body’s main stress hormone. Playing an important part in our “fight or flight” response, cortisol levels naturally spike when we find ourselves in a stressful situation. Unfortunately, the fast-paced lifestyle that has become our societal norm is a leading cause in persistently high cortisol levels, making stress a constant battle for many people. And stress is a common sleep enemy.

How can we fight this? Sleeping in a soldier position? Not necessarily. The best strategy is to pull up a weighted blanket! The calming sensation of evenly distributed weight over your body, is proven to naturally lower cortisol levels. This means when bedtime (or naptime) rolls around, snuggling up under a Napper will help you feel more relaxed, fall asleep easier and log more hours of stress-free sleep.

2. Supercharge Your Serotonin

Similar to its effectiveness in lowering cortisol, sleeping under weight helps to naturally increase serotonin. Serotonin is the body’s mood-regulator.

Feeling happy is heavily dependent on healthy serotonin levels. Sleeping your way to a better mood doesn’t have to mean sprawling like a starfish, simply spend your nights under a weighted blanket and your days are bound to be a bit more carefree.

3. Make More Melatonin

Our bodies are reliant on healthy serotonin levels to produce that ultra-important sleep hormone known as melatonin. The science behind weighted blankets supports increased production of this sleep-inducing hormone, making our Nappers a natural solution to low melatonin levels.

4. Say Goodbye to Sweating

Our Nappers are a natural solution to another common sleep problem: sweating. No newfangled sleeping position can ease the discomfort of sweaty sleep, so if you’re a hot sleeper, give our coolest blanket–the Tree Napper–a try.

We went to great lengths to find the perfect combo of cooling fabric and innovative design to make our Tree Nappers as breathable as can be.

The hand-knit weaves of TENCEL™ (a plant-based fabric made from Eucalyptus wood pulp) and layered organic cotton strikes a perfect balance between allowing enough natural airflow and carrying enough weight to whisk you off to dreamland, while keeping you cool and comfortable.

A weighted blanket can’t enhance your personality (and neither will nighttime Freefalling make you more outgoing!). But, snoozing under a knitted Napper can help you become the best sleeper you can be. And that is bound to make you a delight during the day.

Conclusion

While the science connecting sleeping positions to personality traits may not be robust, it’s fun to explore these correlations. Whether you identify with the introspective fetal sleeper, the sociable freefaller, or the dependable soldier, the most crucial aspect is to find a position that promotes restful, restorative sleep.

Optimizing your sleep posture with supportive pillows, a quality mattress, and a calming sleep environment is essential for better sleep health. Incorporating relaxation techniques and using a weighted blanket, like our Cotton Napper, can enhance your sleep quality by reducing stress and boosting the production of sleep-promoting hormones.