Like most of us, falling asleep and staying asleep is probably your main concern when it comes to feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day come the morning. But why, when you've had a solid eight hours, do you sometimes wake up feeling like you've barely laid your head on the pillow? A new study from mattress reviewer The Sleep Judge has revealed some pretty eye-opening data about how the position you sleep in can have a significant influence on how you'll feel in the morning.
The study had 1,021 participants who were asked some pretty in-depth questions about their sleeping habits. They were a pretty good representation of the adult population: ranging in age from 18-77 and with 54.4 per cent females and 45.6 per cent males.
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When they were asked what position they had slept in and how well they'd slept, it was back sleepers who were polled as sleeping like a log and having the best night's sleep.
A lot of the respondents reported sleeping on their side, curled up in the fetal position, because it's both comforting and comfortable. But, a massive 40 per cent of those who reported sleeping in this position, also reported that they'd slept poorly.
In fact, side and tummy sleepers were found to be the grumpiest of all morning people. Back sleepers, on the other hand, were more likely to wake up feeling motivated and ready for the day.
Next they looked into the issue of space and having somebody else squirming in the bed next to you: what effect does sharing a bed have on your sleep quality - and what does the position you sleep in in relation to one another say about your relationship?
Couples who slept back to back reported getting the worst night sleep, with 37 per cent saying their quality of sleep was below average.
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But participants who slept in the 'distant spoon position' (spooning without touching) had 72 per cent of couples reporting that they'd had a refreshing night of sleep.
And, perhaps more importantly (but when you're alarm goes off at 6am, probably not), a whopping 99 per cent of those who slept like they were in a roomy cutlery drawer said they were satisfied with their relationship. Compared to 85 per cent of respondents who slept back to back.
The Sleepy Judge study showed our quality of sleep can not only affect our mood when we wake up, but can actually dictate what we are thinking about when we open our eyes.
Most people who hadn't slept well said the first thing they thought about was (unsurprisingly) going back to sleep.
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People who had slept well were thinking about work when they opened their eyes. Men were more likely to ponder their profession first thing, with 31 per cent of them doing it compared to 23 per cent of women. And millennial's were the highest age bracket to do it with 30 per cent dreaming about their career before they'd even climbed out of bed.
So picture this: you've slept facing away from your partner on your side. Sh*t. How do you get yourself out of that bad mood if you've climbed out of bed on the wrong side? While the loudest alarm you can handle followed by a cold shower has its place - it's probably going to wake you up without upping your mood.
The study found that 44 per cent of men and 39 per cent of women said they used music as a way to get out of a negative mood.
Caffeine (naturally) was a was also a big favourite, with 43 per cent of women and 34 per cent of men using coffee as a crutch to perk themselves up.
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Other positive ways to deal with feeling tired were talking to your significant other, exercising, and playing with a pet.
The takeaway if you've slept badly? Try being a little bit kinder to yourself.
Featured Image Credit: UnsplashTopics: Life News, Real, Health