{"id":25051,"date":"2022-12-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/side-sleeper\/"},"modified":"2023-10-25T19:32:51","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T19:32:51","slug":"side-sleeper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/side-sleeper\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Sleep Tips for Side Sleepers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While every person has their preferred sleeping position, side sleeping tends to reign as the most popular. In fact, the National Sleep Survey<\/a> previously reported that 74% of us sleep on our sides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It makes sense: \u201cSide sleeping is a flexible position, comfortable for most people despite age and gender,\u201d notes Carleara Weiss, PhD, RN, sleep science consultant at Aeroflow Sleep<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But like other sleep positions<\/a>, side sleeping has its pros and cons. Keep reading for helpful information on how to sleep on your side (including the best side to sleep on), how to deal with side sleeper shoulder pain, and ways to improve your sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a side sleeper?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, Weiss says a side sleeper is a person whose preferred sleeping position is on the right or the left side of their body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of side sleepers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are some common types of side sleepers, with sleeping positions that might even give away things about one\u2019s personality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there’s no solid scientific evidence to support a connection between sleep positions and personality traits<\/a>, Weiss says, it can be fun to learn about these positions from a \u201cpop culture\u201d standpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fetal position<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping on your side with your knees bent and arms tucked into your chest, this preferred sleeping position denotes an \u201cintrovert<\/a> and sensitive personality,\u201d says Weiss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Log<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the log position, you look exactly like the name implies: a \u201clog,\u201d with arms and legs both perfectly straight and stretched out. Looking as if you\u2019re standing at the ready, Weiss says this position may hint at being suspicious of other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yearner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When sleeping, do you look as if you\u2019re reaching out, or \u201cyearning,\u201d for something? With arms and legs stretched out to the side, Weiss says if you often sleep in this position, you may be \u201copen-minded but indecisive\u201d and have a \u201ccomplex personality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pillow hugger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you always<\/em> have to be hugging something when you sleep, whether that\u2019s a pillow, a stuffed animal<\/a>, a pet, or your partner? According to Weiss, this position simply means you\u2019re a lovable person who enjoys close relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reacher<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fully sprawled and reaching your arms away from your body, the reacher position can mean you\u2019re an open-minded, prudent, and cautious person, Weiss says. (Find out if left vs. right side sleeping<\/a> is better for you.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of side sleeping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are quite a few benefits when it comes to side sleeping. Here are the top ones, according to Weiss:<\/p>\n\n\n\n