Alaska Sleep Education Center

What Your Sleep Position Says About Your Personality

How you sleep can have a major impact on your body and mind Each night most people move between a variety of sleep positions By examining your sleep position you can gain insight into your psychological state Heres what your preferred sleep position says about your personality
Psychology and Sleep
Getting adequate sleep can be beneficial for your brain health and mental state Sleep is associated with memory attention and the ability to retain information A lack of sleep can impair your capacity for learning and critical thinking Your mood may worsen due to sleep deprivation as well People who dont sleep enough may feel irritable Poor sleep can even increase your risk of developing depression Sleep researchers have also examined the link between personality traits and sleep positions Understanding the relationship between sleep and psychology can help you get enough rest
Back Sleepers
Many people start their nights lying on their backs However its common to change positions while sleeping You should be aware of these movements in order to fully understand what your sleeping position says about you For example sleeping on your back with your arms at your side is associated with having a reserved and quiet personality On the other hand if you sleep on your back with your arms outstretched or above your head you might be outgoing and generous Sleeping on your back can be beneficial if you have joint pain particularly in your shoulders or hips Nevertheless it can also contribute to conditions like lower back pain and sleep apnea Consider placing a small pillow under your knees for a more comfortable back sleeping position
Side Sleepers
Sleeping on your side is a healthy choice for many individuals People with digestive issues or back pain may benefit from this position Furthermore you can reduce snoring by sleeping on your side In particular many doctors recommend sleeping on the left side to their patients If you sleep with your knees curled up you may be a shy or sensitive person Side sleepers who stretch out their arms are said to be open minded yet cynical Try using a firm pillow to support your neck adequately when you sleep on your side You can also place a pillow between your knees for improved hip and low back support
Stomach Sleepers
In general sleep experts recommend against stomach sleeping as it places more stress on the neck and back However for some people this may be the most comfortable position Sleeping on your stomach can help with digestion and sleep apnea In addition if you sleep on your stomach with your arms outstretched you might have a bold outspoken personality Try to change the way your head faces if you sleep on your belly to prevent neck strain You should use a relatively flat and thin pillow and make sure you dont rest on your arms or hands which can cause numbness You can place another small pillow under your hips if you need more back support
Improved Sleeping
The best sleep position is one that you find sufficiently comfortable and enables you to get enough rest A good nights sleep can help you feel better physically and mentally To improve your sleep habits you should try to stick to a schedule and wake up around the same time each day This can help you fall asleep more consistently Avoid caffeine later in the day and dont exercise immediately before bed Make sure your bedroom is cool dark and quiet to encourage quality sleep
Sleep impacts the health of your brain and can affect your mental health Furthermore people with various personality traits may prefer different sleep positions Learning about the links between sleep and psychology can help you understand how to get quality rest
If you snore or stop breathing during the night you need to speak with your PCP to see if a sleep study is right for you Alaska Sleep Clinic is the 2021 22 Best Sleep Lab in Alaska voted on by Alaskans Find out why your friend family and neighbors trust us with their familys sleep health

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Jennifer Hines
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Brent Fisher, MBA, FACHE, FACMPE
President and Chief Executive Officer

“Alaska Sleep Clinic has a history of providing the most comprehensive sleep medicine services in the state of Alaska. Its potential has only begun. I am here to take these high-quality, comprehensive services to all Alaskans.”

Experience

Brent Fisher has held leadership positions spanning a wide variety of complex and start-up organizations: manufacturing (pharmaceutical & medical device), software development, hospitals (academic and community), medical groups, consulting, hospice, military, engineered devices, engineered plastics, and private equity.

Publications and Organizations

His writings have been published in various magazines, trade journals, and medical journals, including the Physician Executive Journal, Healthcare Executive, Modern Healthcare, Group Practice Journal, New England Journal of Medicine, and Journal of Healthcare Management (Best Article Award).

He has served on the Board of Directors of professional associations, civic organizations, and businesses.

Hobbies and Activities

Brent enjoys being with his family, serving in the community, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.