Could your sleeping position be the key to success? High earners favour 'the freefall'

From the ‘freefall’ to the ‘foetal’, the differing sleeping positions favoured by high and lower earners have been revealed.

A survey of more than 5,000 British professionals found 29 per cent of those earning more than £54,900 a year prefer to sleep with their arms and legs spread out either side of them – a position known as ‘the freefall’. 

By contrast, 29 per cent of people earning less than that figure prefer the foetal position, followed by the ‘pillow hugger’.

Christabel Majendie, a sleep expert at Naturalmat, shared her expertise after the survey by Onbuy.com. She said: ‘Poor-quality sleep is associated with reduced daytime performance, and this includes your professional life.’

‘It is important to be comfortable when you sleep so consider your mattress and bedding. Sleep in a position that is comfortable for you – this varies from person to person.’

Here, a closer look at the sleeping positions chosen by those on high and lower incomes…

Most popular sleeping positions 

LOVED BY HIGHER EARNERS

1. The freefall

2. The soldier

3. The foetal

4. The pillow hugger

5. The thinker

6. The starfish

7. The stargazer

8. The log

FAVOURED BY LOWER EARNERS

1. The foetal

2. The pillow hugger

3. The freefall

4. The thinker

5. The soldier

6. The starfish

7. The log

8. The stargazer

 

HIGH EARNERS (THOSE ON MORE THAN £54,900) 

To define those on high incomes, On Buy used the Government’s own measure – the top 10 per cent of earners.

The survey also found that the highest earners 6 hours and 58 minutes of sleep each night on average – 22 minutes more than lower-earning employees, who only receive 6 hours and 36 minutes.

OnBuy also discovered that the average employee wakes up at 7:06 am on a weekday, however, the top 10 per cent of earners wake up at 6:42 am, on average. 

1. The freefall 

Favoured by 29 per cent  

'The freefall' is the most popular sleeping position among high earners. People who sleep this way have their arms and legs stretched out either side of them

‘The freefall’ is the most popular sleeping position among high earners. People who sleep this way have their arms and legs stretched out either side of them

2. The soldier 

Favoured by 23 per cent 

'The soldier' is the second most favourite sleeping position among high earners, with 23 per cent enjoying it. It sees a person sleep with their arms down by their sides and their legs straight

‘The soldier’ is the second most favourite sleeping position among high earners, with 23 per cent enjoying it. It sees a person sleep with their arms down by their sides and their legs straight

3. The foetal

Favoured by 21 per cent 

'The foetal' position is adopted by 21 per cent of people on high incomes

‘The foetal’ position is adopted by 21 per cent of people on high incomes

4. The Pillow Hugger

Favoured by 13 per cent 

The position known as the 'pillow hugger' is chosen by only 13 per cent of high earners

The position known as the ‘pillow hugger’ is chosen by only 13 per cent of high earners

5. The thinker

Favoured by nine per cent 

'The thinker' is adopted by nine per cent of high earners. People who choose this sleep on their side with one hand under their head and pillow

‘The thinker’ is adopted by nine per cent of high earners. People who choose this sleep on their side with one hand under their head and pillow 

6. The starfish 

Favoured by two per cent 

'The starfish' (clue is in the name) is opted for by only 2 per cent of high earners

‘The starfish’ (clue is in the name) is opted for by only 2 per cent of high earners

7. The stargazer

Favoured by two per cent 

Only two per cent of high earners also favour 'The stargazer', in which someone sleeps with their arms folded beneath their head

Only two per cent of high earners also favour ‘The stargazer’, in which someone sleeps with their arms folded beneath their head

8. The log  

Favoured by one per cent

Finally, 'The log' is the least favourite position of high earners, with only one per cent saying they like it

Finally, ‘The log’ is the least favourite position of high earners, with only one per cent saying they like it

LOWER EARNERS (THOSE ON LESS THAN £54,900 A YEAR) 

1. The foetal

Favoured by 29 per cent 

'The foetal' is the favourite position of people who earn less than £54,900 a year, with 29 per cent liking it

‘The foetal’ is the favourite position of people who earn less than £54,900 a year, with 29 per cent liking it

2. The pillow hugger

Favoured by 24 per cent 

'The pillow hugger' is chosen by 24 per cent of low earners as their favoured sleeping position

‘The pillow hugger’ is chosen by 24 per cent of low earners as their favoured sleeping position

3. The freefall

Favoured by 14 per cent 

'The freefall' comes in at third place, with 14 per cent of low earners favouring it

‘The freefall’ comes in at third place, with 14 per cent of low earners favouring it

4. The thinker

Favoured by 13 per cent 

Just behind is 'The thinker', with 13 per cent of lower earners favouring it

Just behind is ‘The thinker’, with 13 per cent of lower earners favouring it

5. The soldier

Favoured by 10 per cent 

Then comes 'The Soldier', with 10 per cent of people on lower incomes favouring it

Then comes ‘The Soldier’, with 10 per cent of people on lower incomes favouring it

6. The starfish

Favoured by five per cent 

'The starfish' is adopted by just five per cent of lower earners

‘The starfish’ is adopted by just five per cent of lower earners

7. The log

Favoured by three per cent 

The Log is liked by only three per cent of people on lower incomes, who are only slightly more open to it than high earners

The Log is liked by only three per cent of people on lower incomes, who are only slightly more open to it than high earners

8. The stargazer 

Favoured by two per cent 

In last place for those on lower incomes is 'The Stargazer' - favoured by only two per cent

In last place for those on lower incomes is ‘The Stargazer’ – favoured by only two per cent

source: dailymail.co.uk