Sleep position gives personality clue

Posted 26 March, 2010 By Dr Sleep and has 1 comment.

If you want an insight into somebody’s true personality, then try to catch a glimpse of the way they sleep.

Scientists believe the position in which a person goes to sleep provides an important clue about the kind of person they are.

Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, has analysed six common sleeping positions – and found that each is linked to a particular personality type.

“We are all aware of our body language when we are awake but this is the first time we have been able to see what our subconscious posture says about us.

“What’s interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect.”

To see the six positions studied by Professor Idzikowski

  • The Foetus: Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax.This is the most common sleeping position, adopted by 41% of the 1,000 people who took part in the survey. More than twice as many women as men tend to adopt this position.
  • Log (15%): Lying on your side with both arms down by your side. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd, and who are trusting of strangers. However, they may be gullible.
  • The yearner (13%): People who sleep on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious, cynical. They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it.
  • Soldier (8%): Lying on your back with both arms pinned to your sides. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don’t like a fuss, but set themselves and others high standards.
  • Freefall (7%): Lying on your front with your hands around the pillow, and your head turned to one side. Often gregarious and brash people, but can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and don’t like criticism, or extreme situations.
  • Starfish (5%): Lying on your back with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don’t like to be the centre of attention.The remainder of those in the poll said the position they fell asleep varied or did not know.

    Health effect

    Professor Idzikowski also examined the effect of various sleeping positions on health.
    www.easysleepmusic.com relaxing music
    He concluded that the freefall position was good for digestion, while the starfish and soldier positions were more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night’s sleep.

    Professor Idzikowski said: “Lying down flat means that stomach contents can more readily be worked back up into the mouth, while those who lie on their back may end up snoring and breathing less well during the night.

    “Both these postures may not necessarily awaken the sleeper but could cause a less refreshing night’s sleep.”

    The research also found that most people are unlikely to change their sleeping position. Just 5% said they sleep in a different position every night.

    Duvet position

    Professor Idzikowski also found that one arm or leg sticking out of the duvet is Britain’s most common position, followed by both feet poking out the end.

    One in ten people like to cover themselves entirely with the duvet.

    • Categories: Sleep Advice

    Lie-in for teenagers has positive results

    Posted 24 March, 2010 By Dr Sleep and has no comments yet.

    A school that has allowed its pupils to start the day an hour later says it has seen absenteeism decline.

    At Monkseaton High School, in North Tyneside, 800 pupils aged 13-19 have started lessons at 10am since October.

    Early results indicates that general absence has dropped by 8% and persistent absenteeism by 27%.

    Head teacher Paul Kelley said that changing the school day could help towards creating “happier, better educated teenagers”.

    Mr Kelley said it was now medically established that it was better for teenagers to start their school day later in terms of their mental and physical health and how they learn better in the afternoon.

    “It is a question of do schools fit the medical reality of teenagers?” he said.

    The experiment of starting the school an hour later is being overseen by scientists, including an Oxford neuroscience professor Russell Foster.

    He performed memory tests on pupils at the school which suggested the more difficult lessons should take place in the afternoon.

    He said young people’s body clocks may shift as they reach their teenage years – meaning they want to get up later not because they are lazy but because they are biologically programmed to do.

    Prof Till Roenneberg, who is an expert on studying sleep, said it was “nonsense” to start the school day early.

    He said: “It is about the way our biological clock settles into light and dark cycles. This clearly becomes later and later in adolescence.”

    Prof Roenneberg said if teenagers are woken up too early they miss out on the most essential part of their sleep.

    “Sleep is essential to consolidate what you learn,” he said.

    Exam results

    Mr Kelley said GCSE results from his school in January and February also seemed “hopeful” but it was too soon to say for definite whether changing the school hours had affected grades.

    The final results of the study at the school are due to be published in an academic journal, probably next year.

    Mr Kelley said: “We can help them learn better. We can help them be less stressed by simply changing the time of the school day.”

    He said that this in turn could change ideas about young people in general.

    “This is one of the things society has imposed on teens because it feels right for us [adults],” he said.

    But now we know the implications of this situation, he said: “We can change provision for teenagers and we are going to have happier, better educated teenagers.”

    He said starting the school day later had not caused any particular problems as the school is still open 8am-5pm, with lessons running 10am-3.40pm.

    The school will decide before the next timetable is finalised whether or not to continue with the later start.

    Categories: Sleep Advice

    Snoring Information

    Posted 21 March, 2010 By Dr Sleep and has no comments yet.

    Categories: Sleep Advice

    Children ‘need sleep lessons’

    Posted 17 March, 2010 By Dr Sleep and has no comments yet.

    relaxing music

    If a group of doctors get their way, you could soon be having lessons in how to get a good night’s sleep.

    They reckon having the right amount of sleep is just as important as eating healthily and exercising regularly.

    Experts say a lack of sleep makes it hard to concentrate in class and bad sleeping habits can lead to health problems when you’re older.

    Politicians will now consider whether to introduce lessons on the importance of sleep.

    Are sleeping lessons a good idea?

    Woman asleep

    The Sleep Council, which raises awareness about sleep, spoke to 2,000 parents and found that lots of them didn’t know how much sleep kids need.

    The survey recommended 12 hours’ sleep a night for three-year-olds and between eight and nine hours’ for teenagers.

    Edinburgh Sleep Centre expert Dr Chris Idzikowski said: “We teach children about nutrition and ensure regular exercise is part of their weekly activities but the third critical ingredient of a healthy lifestyle – sleep – is barely touched upon.”

    Sleep tips

    Top tips for a good night’s sleep include going to bed at the same time each night and sleeping in a comfortable bed.

    Sleeping in a dark room, banning gadgets from your bedroom and making sure you get lots of exercise and a healthy diet will also help.

    Categories: Sleep Advice

    Inexpensive Way of Relaxing Cope up with Stress as Costly Massages Do

    Posted 13 March, 2010 By Dr Sleep and has no comments yet.
    Inexpensive Way of Relaxing Cope up with Stress as Costly Massages DoAcademic researchers from Group HealthResearch Institute in Seattle have found an inexpensive way of enjoying equal amount of ease as offered by costly massages. It has been found that lying down in a dark room with soft music and breathing deeply is a perfect solution for anxiety and stress.

    Researchers found that the amount of relaxation experienced by people who opt for Thermotherapy which involves wrapping the arms and legs heated towels is almost similar to what a dimly lighted, silkily sounded room provides after lying and deep breathing and the costly massages grant as well.

    Researcher Karen J Sherman stated that the treatment in relaxing room are less expensive and that it might prove cost-effective alternative for those who suffer with anxiety and other related disorders.

    As compared to free of cost way of being out of stress, the massage andthermotherapy sessions are priced £90 per hour.

    This research, published in journal “Depression and Anxiety”, observed 68 patients suffering from angst. These patients were divided into 2 groups and 10 sessions of treatments in both costly and inexpensive ways were conducted.

    Karen Sherman said that they were surprised to conclude that advantages of massage were no intense than those of the same number of sessions of ‘thermotherapy’ or enjoying relaxing music.

    Categories: Sleep Advice