Most psychologists agree that our unconscious body language says a lot about our state of mind.
You may think that wiggling into your most comfortable sleeping pose is simply a habit or a good way to help you drop off.
But experts say the body language behind our sleep positions give a great deal of insight into what’s going on internally.
They have also revealed that the best position to sleep in is on your back, followed by your side – both of which will allow your spine to rest.
The worst way to sleep is thought to be on your stomach, however, because it puts too much pressure on your joints.
Here, behaviour expert Adrianne Carter gives us the lowdown on what our sleeping positions say about our personalities…
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Cuddling
This sleep position is all about maintaining as much contact as possible so this person needs reassurance.
Do they have a need to be comforted in everyday life too?
If the cuddler sleeps alone, you will find them snuggling up to a pillow or teddy bear as a substitute.
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Living on the edge
Sleeping as close to the edge of the bed as possible shows a few key points about a person.
Either they don’t want to be touched while sleeping, or they need to show they are ready for action and can spring out of bed whenever they need to.
This person will be an independent and self-reliant individual who you may find it hard to get close to.
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Propped up
This person may have an ailment or injury and need to be supported in bed to sleep. But where else in their life do they need extra support?
If they choose to sleep like this and are in good health, they may be saying unconsciously they want more out of life and feel unsatisfied.
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The Cocoon
A person who suffers from anxiety will usually wear layers of clothes to feel safe – and it’s no different when we sleep.
If a person likes to be totally covered by their bedding, it identifies a need for protection.
When we feel sensitive to criticism, we wrap ourselves up in layers but you can now buy weighted blankets that have been proven to help with anxiety.
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The Star
The person that sleeps like this takes all the availab space in bed and fills it. They are confident in themselves and their right to be comfortable.
If they have a sleep partner, they may be showin they are the alpha in the relationship.
They may also be the taker, which can work if the sleep partner is happy to give them space… both literally and figuratively.
On your front
Comfort is king to this sleeper. They lay like this because they have found the perfect position that allows them both movement and relaxation.
In life, they are the sort of person who throws themselves into all sorts of situations because they are willing to try new things and take risks. They are probably social butterflies too.
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On your back
When a person sleeps like this, they are often out for the count for a long time.
Deep sleepers tend to be confident and need nothing more than a good rest to recharge their batteries.
Without a good night’s sleep, they
can be grumpy. And if their sleep partner needs reassurance or contact, this person is not going to give it – at least at night.
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The baby
This is the most common way for women to sleep but when it comes to both sexes, almost half claim to favour this position.
A person who sleeps like this values their own company and is happy to look to themselves for security.
This position can cause problems for sleeping partners though, as it’s hard to cuddle up to someone who is laying in the foetal position.
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Six ways to help you get the best night’s rest
Around 80 per cent of the population will struggle to sleep at some time in their life. Here, Dr Guy Meadows, co-founder of The Sleep School, shares his top tips for getting some shut-eye.
1 Humans sleep best in cold weather so if you’ve had the heating on for too long, lower your body temperature by opening a window or using a fan. Alternatively, add layers to your bed instead of putting the heating on.
2An insomniac will tell you they do everything to get to sleep. That’s because they obsess about having a bedtime ritual and end up thinking about it too much. You do need a wind-down period before bed but make sure it isn’t regimented. Dim the lights 30 minutes before you want to go to sleep and switch off the TV and computer games.
3 Getting up in the middle of the night may offer a short-term solution, but ultimately it pushes you away from the place you want to be – your bed. Learn how to sit with your discomfort rather than fight it.
4 Caffeine is a stimulant so reduce your caffeine intake by switching to decaf.
5 Going to bed and waking up at the same time forces your body into a good rhythm. It will soon recognise when it’s time to go to bed and ease into sleep mode before you even hit the hay.
6On average, people sleep for seven to eight hours a night but we can survive on as few as four. Going to bed an hour later and waking up an hour earlier will consolidate your sleep, which will make you more tired and hopefully allow you to sleep better the following night.
For more information go to thesleepschool.org
