If this sounds ridiculous (and honestly, I'd love to see information on this study and the analysis fleshed out further than any of the reports I could find), consider that Idzikowski says it comes down to body language.
"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," Idzikowski said. "What's interesting is that the profile behind the posture is often very different from what we would expect."

The research also links certain sleeping positions with health risks. Some aid digestion while others spur on snoring and restlessness.

Here are the six common sleeping positions and correlated personality traits and health implications, according to this study.





Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly.

Log position - If you sleep on your side with both arms down, you are a social, easy-going person who is trusting, sometimes to the point of being gullible. The study showed 15% of people sleep like a log.

Yearner position - A close third is the side-lying position with both arms out in front of the body, with 13% of partipants sleeping like this. Yearners are noted to be open-minded and still cynical, suspicious, and stubborn about sticking to decisions once they are made.

Soldier position - These sleepers lie on their backs with arms down and kept close to the body. This 8% study is said to be reserved, quiet, without fuss, and hold themselves and others to a high standard. Soldier sleepers have a higher likelihood for snoring due to the flat-back position, which may not cause them to wake up often but may result in a less restful night's sleep.

Freefall position - Those people who lie on their bellies with arms under or wrapped around a pillow with head turned to the side, make up 7% of the population studied. Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism.

Starfish position - Sleepers who lie on their backs with arms up near their head or the pillow account for 5% of participants. These people are good listeners, helpful, and are uncomfortable being the center of attention. People who sleep in starfish position are more likely to snore and to suffer from a poor night's sleep more often.


If you think you are one of those people who move through all of these positions, that's not likely to really be the case. Idzikowski said the research reveals most people stay in the same position all night and only 5% lay differently night by night. Also interesting is that the study showed only one in ten people cover their bodies entirely with a blanket, with most people exposing an arm, leg, or both feet.


So which position do you sleep in?

Freefall position - Those people who lie on their bellies with arms under or wrapped around a pillow with head turned to the side, make up 7% of the population studied. Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism.

Starfish position - Sleepers who lie on their backs with arms up near their head or the pillow account for 5% of participants. These people are good listeners, helpful, and are uncomfortable being the center of attention. People who sleep in starfish position are more likely to snore and to suffer from a poor night's sleep more often.


Ground control to major tom....

Yearner position - A close third is the side-lying position with both arms out in front of the body, with 13% of partipants sleeping like this. Yearners are noted to be open-minded and still cynical, suspicious, and stubborn about sticking to decisions once they are made.

yet another study telling me I'm stubborn

Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly.

When I sleep I very seldom even move unless it is to turn over... makes it easy to make the bed in the morning nothing is out of place

That I really love Dreaming ...

I'm one of the rare few who sleeps in all of the above positions... I wake up in different positions every morning. Especially in the orientations shown. It all depends on my mood. Lol! I literally only started sleeping like a soldier when I joined the army. Ever since... At least once a week I find myself that way.

After a tasty midnight snack, natch ...

Hmmmm I start out in Freefall Position...move to Soldier Position and then end up in Starfish Position? Wonder what that means?

Well what does it mean when you start out with your head at the head board and wake up with your feet there? I'm all over the place in my sleep...I talk and move a LOT.

this is how i usually fall asleep, but i don't know if i stay or wake that way nor do i think i make a sound (you'd have to ask someone who's slept with me).

i can say that i fall asleep within minutes of head hitting the pillow and i usually sleep like a baby for at least 8 straight hours.

How cute, thy're clothed.... LMAO! Fetus position predominantly, and starfish. I like to be totally covered, as I sleep nude, even if it is just a sheet, though if the windows are open (like now) and it's warm out, I'll usually sleep with my leg out.

Really weird I was just reading this like 5 minutes ago at Yahoo! I always sleep in the fetal position. That's how I go to sleep & how I wake up. It's more comfortable & I feel more protected while I sleep. From what I don't know!!!

stretched out expossed like a pet sleeping on "their" back......
...please don't "throw" anything to me for at least 3hrs

Depends if there's anybody in bed with me! Alone is fetal to freefall and starfish.

mine reveals that I'm...well...awake!

My first thought when I saw the above picture was "Hey, that looks like a time-elapsed photo display of me fighting my insomnia!"

I think I eventually fall asleep in a blend of the fetal/yearner position, with my top leg bent up and the bottom leg straight, sort of teetering towards the free fall position. I'm a complicated individual apparently.

I dont know... May be my girl friend knows...

Looks like I would be a freefaller.