New research suggests that your sleep position may tell you a lot about yourself, your health, your age, perhaps even your level of education.
Although how we sleep is largely a matter of observed comfort and habit, the study found that sleeping positions influence sleep quality. For example, people who sleep in the Logbook Function Report get a better night’s sleep than those in the fetus. People who sleep in the starfish or log positions also have more sleep walking.
Our sleep positions can also tell us other things about ourselves. The study showed that logs consider themselves more often as healthy, while introverted people have the strongest aversion to the sleeping position of the free fall.
Other sleeping insights are:
- Women sleep more often in the fetal position compared to men (54% versus 39%).
- The soldier (11%), Zeester (7%) and Log (6%) Sleep positions are the least popular, but those who sleep in these positions are more likely to say it has medical benefits.
- Logs are more likely than fetal, free fall or annual sleeps to say that their mattress is very comfortable. They may feel that way, because they are more likely than other sleepers to lie down and test their mattress before they are bought.
BSC Sleep Expert Terry Cralle, RNA certified sleep trainer and author offers this better sleeping position tips:
- Backputers(Soldier or starfish) Sleeping on your back can cause low back pain and sleep apnea, which interferes normal sleep. If you experience back pain, consider placing a pillow or rolled up towel under your knees to align the natural curve of your spine.
- Stomach sleep(Free fall) Sleeping in this way can cause tension on your lower back and cause possible neck pain. Try to use a soft pillow or none at all while sleeping, so your neck is not in an uncomfortable angle.
- Sidelines(Log, Year, Fetal) Sleeping on the side is one of the most common ways to sleep; Sleep specialists recommend that you sleep on your side to rest more comfortably and to reduce the chance of interrupted sleep.
For more information about sleeping positions, including visuals, visit each http://bterssleep.org/better-sleep/sleeppositions.