It’s something that we all look forward to after a stressful day at work.
But when you climb into bed and pull your duvet up around you, which position do you naturally gravitate towards?
To celebrate World Sleep Day 2024, experts have revealed the best and worst sleep positions.
From the ‘Foetus’ to the ‘Soldier’, most people sleep in one of six main positions – and some are much better for us than others.
‘While you may not feel instantly uncomfortable in bed, if you regularly wake with aches and pains, or if you find that you frequently suffer with a disturbed night’s sleep, a bad sleeping position may be the cause,’ said Adam Hirst, head of digital at Woolroom.
From the ‘Foetus’ to the ‘Soldier’, most people sleep in one of six main positions – and some are much better for us than others
People who sleep on their stomach with their head to one side and their arms wrapped around the pillow are classed as Freefallers (stock image)
With the average Briton getting between seven and nine hours sleep every night, it’s no surprise that most of us have a favourite position.
However, there’s a distinct difference between a comfy sleeping position and a healthy one.
‘It’s natural to assume that if we’re comfy in bed, we must be in the correct sleeping position,’ Mr Hirst explained.
‘But, in reality, when we have a bad sleeping position we can become used to it over time, so we’re led to believe that it’s the best sleeping position.’
There are six main sleep positions, which experts have nicknamed the Foetus, Log, Soldier, Starfish, Yearner, and Freefaller.
The Foetus gets its name from the position of a baby in the womb, and sees the sleeper curled up into a ball as they lie on one side.
According to a 2019 study, led by experts from Curtin University, 60 per cent of adults spend the majority of the night in a side position.
If you’re a Log sleeper, you also lie on your side, but this time with your arms and legs exended, while Yearners sleep on their side but with their arms stretched out in front.
Sleeping on your front can leave you with back and neck pain the next day, according to the experts (stock image)
People who prefer sleeping on their back are generally categorised as Soldiers – those who sleep with their arms by their sides – or Starfish, who have their arms stretched above their head.
Finally, people who sleep on their stomach with their head to one side and their arms wrapped around the pillow are classed as Freefallers.
Speaking to MailOnline, Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at The Sleep Charity, explained that all of these positions are ‘fine’ – except the Freefaller.
‘It’s fine to sleep on your back or sides but we suggest avoiding sleeping on your tummy as it puts a lot of strain on your neck as it is permanently twisted throughout the night,’ she explained.
Martin Seeley, a sleep expert at MattressNextDay, agreed that sleeping on your front is a no-go, and highlighted that sleeping on your back isn’t the best option for people who snore.
The Foetus gets its name from the position of a baby in the womb, and sees the sleeper curled up into a ball as they lie on one side
‘Sleeping on your side is regarded as the best position,’ he told MailOnline.
‘It can help improve circulation and digestion, and also opens the airways for easier breathing which means less chance of snoring.’
Whatever your position preference, Ms Artis says that the correct support is ‘crucial’.
‘A good bed can make all the difference to your sleep,’ she told MailOnline.
‘Did you know that your head weighs 4.5-5.5 kilos (10-12lbs), and that your neck contains seven of the spine’s 33 vertebrae?
‘Neck pain, stiff necks and even persistent headaches could simply be the result of poor pillow support while in bed sleeping.
‘A good pillow should hold your head in the correct alignment – that is, in the same relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing upright with the correct posture.
‘One that is too soft will allow the head to flop, curving the neck. One that is too hard will give you a crick in the neck.’
