There are many different sleeping positions to choose from as you drift off to sleep. However, you might not often think of the pros and cons of your sleeping position.
Many of us sleep in a position we feel most comfortable without thinking of the side effects that can come with the odd positions, such as sleeping with your arms up above your head.
As you know, there are three main sleeping positions: back, side, and stomach.
However, there are variations of these positions, including sleeping curled in the fetal position or sleeping with arms up above head and legs spread apart, the latter of which is often referred to as the Starfish sleeping position.
The sleep position you choose can lead to unwanted side effects, such as joint pain, body aches, breathing difficulties, or an increase in back pain.
Most people choose a sleeping position, including sleeping with their arms up, based on basic things, like habit or comfort.
Some people, though, who sleep next to a significant other, find themselves, either consciously or unconsciously, creating extra space for cuddles or closeness by sleeping with arms up above the head.
Others sleep with their arms up because they aren’t breathing as well as they should, and sleeping with your arms above your head is a natural way to open the lungs, allowing easier breathing.
So, if you find you’re sleeping in this “Starfish” position, it might be a natural response by your body throughout the night if you experience an increase in difficulty breathing.
Lastly, one survey revealed that those who sleep in the Starfish position may be more prone to sleepwalk.
According to some sleep specialists, Starfish sleeping may increase the risk of sleep apnea (spontaneous pauses in breathing), and lower back pain.
Whether you are sleeping with arms up while pregnant, through teenage years, or even into older age, joint pain is often the biggest concern.
While sleeping with arms up doesn’t necessarily impact the quality of sleep you receive, it’s not the most recommended sleep position, as it could increase risks of sleep apnea, and it could lead to lower back pain as it doesn’t allow for proper spinal alignment throughout the night.
Many new parents find themselves questioning if it is safe for their new baby to sleep with arms up. Babies often sleep in a position of comfort, whether that be arms up, out, down, or fully swaddled.
As long as you are practicing safe sleep-space standards, such as not placing pillows, blankets, toys, or bumper pads in a crib or bassinet your baby is using, then a healthy baby sleeping with their arms above their head is generally nothing to be overly concerned about. That said, it’s always a good idea to address any issues or concerns like this with your baby’s pediatrician.
The Moro reflex is the cause of your newborn baby to sleep with his arms above his head. This reflex, commonly referred to as the “startle reflex”, disappears by 6 months of age. It occurs when light or noise startles your baby, even if the noise is not enough to fully wake the baby.
Why do I keep sleeping with my arms up?
Again, many people sleep in a position of comfort. If you find yourself waking with your arms above your head, it’s likely that at some point in the night you feel more comfortable sleeping in a Starfish position rather than a traditional sleeping position. Know though that this can also be indicative of experiencing trouble breathing, as this sleep position allows the lungs to open fully to allow an ample amount of air in and out.
Sleep experts recommend sleeping on your back with arms down or crossed over your chest or sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees for support. The Polysleep pillow is ideal for all sleep positions, as it is fully customizable to fit your specific needs.
At Polysleep, we understand that finding a position of comfort while you’re asleep may become increasingly difficult — especially if your position of comfort leads to aches and pains the following day.
The Polysleep Pillow is a soft and squishy pillow made of high-end memory foam, and is fully customizable to provide ample support and comfort regardless of the position you sleep in.
In fact, The Polysleep Pillow can be adjusted from 2" in height up to 9" inches, depending on the number of hybrid foam layers you decide to use.
With the Polysleep pillow’s 100% cotton cover, you'll feel cool throughout the entire night thanks to its soft and silky finish, allowing you to wake to feel well-rested and rejuvenated each morning.
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Before you drift off to sleep each night, there's a good chance you slide into a familiar position. Maybe you roll over to your right side and pull your knees into your chest, or perhaps you lie flat on your back, arms at your sides as if you're in "corpse pose" at the end of a yoga class. While you may think this pre-sleep move is simply your way of getting comfy, experts say it can actually tell you a lot about your personality—and your health.
Robert Phipps, a body language expert in England, conducted a survey for a popular U.K. budget hotel chain and found a connection between certain sleeping positions and psychological characteristics (think of it like a horoscope of sleep positions). And Chris Idzikowski, another British researcher and director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, conducted similar research—and found comparable results.
While some sleep experts scoff at the broad-sweeping connections Phipps and Idzikowski have claimed, what you can look at is the more widely studied physiological issues that can result from sleeping in certain positions, says Rachel Salas, MD, assistant medical director for the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep. "There are a number of physical issues that can pop up as a result of sleeping in the same position on a regular basis," she says. (And check out what your favorite TV show's saying about your personality.)
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Here's a look at the three most common sleeping positions, what they could be saying about your personality and health, and how to make little tweaks to wake up more refreshed.
If you sleep on…your side
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Curl up in the fetal position and it could mean you're a worrier, according to Phipps' survey. You may also be tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. If you sleep with both arms stretched out in front of you, you've likely got an open nature—but you also may be yearning for more in life, ready to conquer everything life throws your way. Side-sleeping can cause nerve compression in the arms and legs, which can lead to chronic pain, says Salas. Research also shows that acid reflux can worsen when you sleep on your side, particularly if you tend to roll onto your right side. (Acid reflux could also be a symptom of out-of-whack gut bacteria—learn how to fix it with ) "To combat these issues, sleep next to a body pillow, says Salas, to help support your back and neck. "You might also try sleeping with a thin pillow between your knees to give your back extra support."
MORE: 20 Ways To Sleep Better Every Night
If you sleep on…your back
Your sleep-o-scope:
Your potential health woes: 6 things your snoring could be trying to tell you
Sleeping like a log—body straight, arms beside you—can indicate that you're inflexible and rigid, according to Phipps, with a tendency to be bossy, stubborn, and set in your ways. But if your arms drift above your head, there's a good chance you're always ready to listen to and help others, making you a great friend.While back sleeping is actually great for those with back or neck pain (it aligns your spine and puts minimal pressure on the nerves in your extremities, says Salas), it can make you more prone to snoring and sleep apnea—two conditions that can be annoying to bed partners at best and detrimental to your health at worst. Sleeping on your back can also make acid reflux worse, keeping you awake throughout the night. Try propping yourself up with an extra pillow under your head, says Salas, if you're dealing with acid reflux or snoring. (And take a look at these .)
If you sleep on…your stomach
Your sleep-o-scope:
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If you like to drift off face-down with your arms outstretched (Phipps coined this position "the freefaller") it could mean that you often feel like you don't have much control over what happens in your life or that you're just hanging on for the ride. If this is the case, you may wake up feeling anxious or worried about your to-dos. Due to the fact that most beds aren't built like massage tables with holes for us to breathe so that we can keep our neck in line with our spine, it means you likely sleep with your neck turned to one side or another. The result? "This causes a great deal of neck strain that can lead to muscle spasms and chronic pain issues," says Salas. (Ease your neck pain with .) The solution: Train yourself to sleep on your side or back, she says, as the neck extension that's required to breathe easily is just too extreme on the body.