Do You Sleep Like a Starfish or a Log?

We all tend to sleep in the traditional positions of side, stomach or back, but there are also those position their bodies in more unusual or exaggerated ways whilst doing so, whether they sleep alone or with a partner. Dr Chris Idzikowski, Consultant Psychologist at the London Sleep Centre and the founding Chairman of the Royal Society of Medicine Forum on sleep, has analysed these and found that each could be linked to certain personality types.

Curled up - foetal position side-sleeper

Although most adults prefer side sleeping, foetal sleepers not only sleep on their sides but also curl up, with their knees held close to their chest. Although we tend to change our sleeping position throughout the night, side sleeping makes up for over half of the time in bed - but sleeping in the foetal position is more unusual. According to Dr Idzikowski’s research, foetal side sleepers can be shy and reserved when meeting someone new but relax and become more open with time. Side sleeping can help to prevent neck and lower back pain, as long as the correct height pillow is used. Read more about sleeping on your side.

Sleep like a log

This description usually means that someone is sleeping soundly – but is it also a sleep position. The studies carried out showed that this is a rarer form of sleeping, whereby the person sleeps on their side but with their legs straight and arms down by their sides. The research also found that those who sleep in the log-style tend to be laid back and sociable.

The 'yearner' sleepers

Another side sleeping position, the ‘yearner’ sleeps on their side but with either one or both their arms outstretched, as if reaching for something. Sometimes they will also sleep with one knee up. In Dr Idzikowski’s study, this made up 13% of sleepers, and he found that these who sleep like this are open but can be slow to make decisions. He also found, however, that they typically stuck with their decisions, once made.

Attention! The soldier sleeping position

About 8% of us sleep in this position, on our back with our arms down by our sides. Those who sleep in this position are said to be structured and focussed in their daily lives. Sleeping on your back can be beneficial for back and neck health but can also lead to snoring and exacerbate sleep apnoea.  Read more about sleeping on your back.

Free-falling sleepers

Those that sleep on their stomach, head to one side and hands around the pillow are known as free-falling stomach sleepers. They make up less than 7% of the study’s population, which also found them to be sociable and confident on the outside but are more sensitive on the inside. Sleeping like this can lead to back pain, as your head needs to be twisted to one side to allow for breathing. A lower pillow can help to alleviate this. Read more about sleeping on your stomach.

The starfish sleeper

Starfish-sleepers lie in the shape of a starfish – on their back, with their arms and legs stretched out. The study showed that it is the least common sleeping position amongst adults, with individuals who adopting this position being less than 5% of sleepers. Their personality traits are believed to reflect them as helpful, loyal friends. If both you and your partner sleep this way, then a larger bed may well become a necessity! As it is a back sleeping position, this can also lead to snoring.

How does your sleep environment impact on your sleep?

A poor sleep environment can lead to restless, interrupted nights – and your choice of bedding can often be the main culprit. Duvets made with synthetic fibres are not breathable and therefore can trap heat, leading to you waking up feeling too hot. Feather and down duvets have some breathability, but they, and synthetic duvets, trap sweat and moisture within their fibres, creating the perfect humid environment for dust mites and bacteria to thrive.

What type of duvet fillings are best for temperature regulation?

The best duvets for temperature regulation are those made with wool or alpaca. This is because it works with you and the ambient temperature in your bedroom to keep your core body temperature balanced whilst you sleep. Both wool and alpaca fibres also have the ability to moisture wick, releasing moisture into the air, rather than trapping it. This makes them naturally resistant to dust mites and micro bacteria, making it more hygienic as well as hypoallergenic.

What kind of pillow can help improve my sleep quality?

Your sleep position can impact on the quality of your sleep, for example some positions can create spine or neck discomfort, or if you are waking yourself (or your partner) through snoring or sleep apnoea. Sometimes it isn’t easy to change your sleep position if this is something you’ve been used to for a long time. So, if you are finding this, then ensure you have a pillow that will keep your spine aligned better for your preferred position and will help reduce snoring. Wool pillows will help to create a sleep environment that is temperature regulating – and is dust mite resistant. All of our pillows are adjustable – whether that’s because the wool is removable through a zip in the casing (our Original Wool Pillow or our Quilted Adjustable Pillow) or through being able to create a support section (our unique Folding Pillow).

Luxurious sleep - naturally

Our luxurious 100% natural and sustainable duvets, pillows and mattress toppers are individually handcrafted by our expert seamstresses in our Devon workshops, using traceable 100% British wool, or 100% British alpaca. We do not treat our wool or alpaca with chemicals when we clean it, and this not only ensures the fibres retain all of their natural properties, but it also makes our products better for you – and the environment. We also offer our wool-alternative, 100% plant-based range, Botanic, which is created from sustainable wood sources using an eco award-winning process. We use beautifully breathable, 100% cotton fabrics that are woven to our specification using fibres certified by Better Cotton.

For further information about our products, visit our website, or contact the team by calling 01752 345399 or via email.

Ref: British Sleep Society, The Sleep Foundation, Dr Chris Idzikowski