How you sleeeeeep?

Here are four basic individual sleep positions:

1. In the prone position, sleeper lies face down on the stomach with arms extended and bent, usually framed above the head. People who regularly sleep in the prone position  tend to have strong compulsive tendencies and stubbornness in their personalities and are persistent and goal-oriented.

2. The royal position is the geometric opposite of the prone. The royal sleeper lies supine, fully on the back, with arms slightly akimbo at the sides. It’s an open, vulnerable and expansive position, and these people display self-confidence and self-involvement. Workaholic businessmen and entrepreneurs often prefer this position.

3. The most common position, the semi-fetal, has sleepers lying on their sides with knees slightly bent, one arm outstretched above the head, the other resting comfortably on the opposing upper arm to cradle the head. Conciliatory, compromising, non-threatening, non-shakers; sleep experts claim this to be the optimal sleep posture position.

4. The full-fetal is the characteristic womb position. Sleepers lie curled on their sides, with knees pulled all the way up, heads bent forward. Usually a pillow or blanket mass is centered at the stomach. These people are highly emotional, sensitive, artistic, and have intense one-on-one relationships. Oddly, it’s found that women who sleep in this position normally have heightened capacity for multiple orgasms.

Tips to get sound sleep

Make a 'sleep hygiene' habit 

Regular exercise helps. Early morning, late afternoon or early evening exercise doesn't interfere with sleep. However, refrain from exercise four hours prior to sleep. 

Snacks before bedtime should be light and fluid intake limited. 

Stay away from caffeine, nicotine and alcohol 4-6 hours before sleep. Get up and go to bed at the same time everyday as it helps your sleep cycle remain in rhythm. Adjust the temperature, light and noise levels to your needs. 

Establish an optimal sleep pattern 

Go to bed only when you are 'sleepy tired'. Do not watch TV, work, study or eat in bed. If you are not asleep within 20 minutes, get out of bed and sit and relax in another room in dim-light or read something till you are sleepy again. Do not nap during the day. Do not take recovery sleep to compensate for a previous bad night. 

Deal with tension & learn to relax 

Set up a work activity deadline at least 90 minutes prior to bedtime. Practice a relaxation routine in bed, concentrate on your breathing; release all the tension from your muscle groups — arms, neck, shoulders, face and eyes, stomach and back and legs. Don't worry about inability to sleep. Postpone the thinking of problems to the next morning. 

How to sleep 

Do not try hard to fall asleep; refrain from 'clock watching'. State to yourself that 'sleep will come when it is ready'. Try to keep your eyes open in the darkened room. Visualise a pleasing scene.