THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP AND WHAT IT REVEALS ABOUT YOU

Getting enough shut-eye is important (find out why) and how you sleep in bed can also reveal something about your relationship!

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What does insufficient sleep do to you? It can lower your sex drive, weaken your immune system, muddle your thinking and lead to weight gain. There’s even been research that shows too little sleep increases the risk of certain cancers and diabetes.

You’re three times more likely to have a car accident if you get six or less hours of sleep each night, according to the National Sleep Foundation. And finally, too little sleep leads to more fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin colour and looseness of your skin.

Related article: Don’t lose sleep over insomnia

Too much?
Sleeping like a hibernating bear isn’t great, either. Less than five hours per night and nine or more hours per night are equally bad for your heart, said an article in the European Heart Journal. We need to sleep so our brain can lock in new information and remember it.

Bottom line: Adults need seven to eight hours per night.

How you sleep
Your sleep can be affected by how you lie – and reveal something about your relationship. Don't take it too seriously, though. Your sleeping position might be more about habit, your size, someone snoring, or where the morning light falls.

Even so, here are some sleeping styles with their variations, possible meanings and benefits.

Spooning
The one at the back of a comforting sideways hug might feel protective towards the partner. The loose spoon leaves some space between the bodies, which says you've been together long enough to trust each other. The chasing spoon is one person on one side of the bed and the other “chasing”. It could mean that one partner wants more space or the drifting partner wants to be pursued.



Unraveling Knot
Like the Loose Spoon, this is typical of couples who've been together for some time. Though they start out touching, they "unravel" into independence.

Face to face
With touching, this suggests people who are very close and happy together. Not so great if you don’t want to wake up with morning breath in your face, though. Face to face but not touching, some say, could point to a relationship problem. Have a chat about your feelings, just to be sure.

Back to back
With touching, this is a very relaxing position and fairly common in new couples. Sleeping back to back, but with space between you, shows you’re connected and secure.



Cradle
Sleeping with your head on your partner’s chest, maybe with legs or arms hugging as well, is a sign of protectiveness and passion.

Cliffhanger
Lying on opposite edges is called the cliffhanger. If you’re not doing it with attitude, it might not be a problem – just a sign that both are happy with themselves and their partner.

Paper dolls
You’re on your back, maybe holding hands or touching. It might look cold but it’s intimate and a good position for a sound sleep.

Tetherball
One curled up, the other on their back with a hand resting on the partner’s hip. It’s touching and it matters.

Leg hug
Touching feet or tangled legs might be a request for intimacy. Good if both are doing it, maybe sign of imbalance if only one does it.

Shingles
You’re resting your head on the shoulder of a back sleeper. Since back sleepers supposedly have big personalities, it could show that you let your partner play protector. It could also be a sign that you really understand each other.

Stomach
Sleeping on your face is bad for the back. Since it protects the front of the body, it could also signal anxiety, emotional fear, vulnerability or lack of control.

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Tangle
A tight, horizontal hug might mean your relationship is fairly new and you can't bear to be separated. If you're still sleeping like this after six months, you might be too dependent on each other.

Space Hog
This one spreads out in bed, taking up all the space – maybe a bit inconsiderate. The partner taking over the bed probably dominates in the relationship. The one with head closer to the headboard might be more confident.

Starfish
Sleeping with arms and legs spread keeps the spine neutral and distributes weight well, which makes it great for the back and could help with heartburn. However, it can make snoring or sleep apnea symptoms worse. And if you’re pushing out a sleeping partner, it can be a sign of selfishness.

Foetal
Curling up tightly strains the lower back and puts pressure on the abdomen. Try straightening a bit, with a pillow between your knees for your lower back’s sake.

Related article: Become a morning person

Sources: https://www.healthline.com, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com, https://www.mindbodygreen.com