Sleep expert claims the side of the bed you sleep on says a lot about your personality

Whether you sleep on the left or right side of the bed says a lot about the type of person you are, experts have claimed.

Those on the left are thought to be more creative and confident, while those on the right are more logical and analytical.

A 2021 survey of 2,000 Americans asked the participants which side of the bed they slept on and how they would describe their personality.

The left or right side of the bed was defined from the perspective of standing at the end of the bed, looking towards the headboard. 

The study, by OnePoll on behalf of Slumber Cloud, found that those who sleep on the left side were more likely to report traits associated with a more relaxed character type – such as cheerful and imaginative.

Those who slept on the right were more generally negative in attitude. However, they also tended to earn more money. 

Hope Bastine, psychologist and resident sleep expert at sleep technology mattress firm Simba, told Cosmopolitan that these findings are supported by previous research, which shows people who sleep on the left are likely to be more cheerful than their right-side counterparts.

She added: ‘A positive outlook allows lefties to be more capable at dealing with a heavy workload, which means they’re not as easily phased by a stressful day. 

‘Those who sleep on the left believe they are calmer than their partner in a crisis and are more confident in general.’

It was also reported that left-side sleepers are thought to have a greater level of job satisfaction than those who sleep on the right side.

While they may have a more pessimistic outlook, right-hand-side sleepers are also more likely to be grounded and prepared for worst-case scenarios, Ms Bastine said.

They are also more likely to lean right politically, while those on the left side are more likely to fall on the left side of the political spectrum.

The study did not suggest why these traits might occur.

However, experts have previously suggested that choice of sleeping position could be influenced by differing levels of activity between both sides of the brain. 

For instance, brain regions involved in emotion may be more active on the left side in some, which could explain the preference in side.

The study also highlighted that other factors, such as convenience, come into play when choosing which side of the bed people sleep on.

In the poll, 40 percent of people said they opt for the side of the bed that is easier for them to get in and out of, and 30 percent of people said they decide based on whatever their partner prefers.

Another survey from 2015 by Saatva Mattress found that the majority of Americans – 60 percent prefer to sleep on the left side of the bed.

The research also found that 58 percent of men sleep on the right, as do 50 percent of women.