While we are all familiar with the idea of the night owl and the morning lark, what you might not know is that there are a host of other sleep styles that speak volumes about your health.
According to mattress brand Simba, there are nine different sleep personas – including the Wriggler, Maverick and Sleep Master – and they all have very specific characteristics.
After analysing data from 3,400 sleepers, the experts outlined the nine different personalities. So which are you?
According to mattress brand Simba, there are nine different sleep personas – including the Wriggler, Maverick and Sleep Master (stock image)
The Wriggler
Chances are, we’ve all known a Wriggler.
Characterised by the fact that they can’t stay still, even in bed, the Wriggler will always move around and so therefore they likely aren’t getting many of the five stages of sleep.
They could even be missing out on the most restorative stage of sleep – stage 3, in which you get REM (rapid eye movement), which is key for your mind and mood.
According to Glamour, the best way to handle sleep if you’re a Wriggler is to try the 4-7-8 breathing technique.
To do this, simply breathe in for a steady count of four, hold for seven and breathe out for eight seconds.
Characterised by the fact that they can’t stay still, even in bed, the Wriggler will always move around and so therefore they likely aren’t getting many of the five stages of sleep (stock image)
The Early Bird
We’ve all heard of the early bird, who wakes up so early that they don’t get the eight hours of sleep they need and so miss out on the restorative deep sleep stage.
While this person’s natural circadian rhythm is fairly on point, they might feel tired in the evening and be wide awake by 5am.
The experts from Simba say this person should try to get as much natural light as possible as soon as they wake up.
This will not only help to improve their mood, but it’ll also assist regulating their body clock for the day ahead.
The Heavy Sleeper
The Heavy Sleeper tends not to reach deep sleep until the latter stages of the night, meaning they too find it difficult to get the restorative sleep they need.
While they might be able to sleep through anything once they are asleep, when they do wake up, they might not feel great as a result.
This sleeper should try adjusting their bedtime to make the most of their time asleep, and then they could also try a gentle stretch before bed to enhance their drowsiness.
The Thinker represents so many modern-day sleepers, insofar as they often can’t get to sleep due to their overactive mind, and when they do, they wake up again, to be lost in thought (stock image)
The Thinker
The Thinker represents so many modern-day sleepers, insofar as they often can’t get to sleep due to their overactive mind, and when they do, they wake up again, to be lost in thought.
The experts recommend that The Thinker takes short regular breaks throughout the day so that they can alleviate stress.
They should also create a to-do list at the end of the day to ensure they don’t lie in bed fretting about the following day.
The Light Sleeper
The opposite of The Heavy Sleeper, The Light Sleeper comes with their own vast array of problems.
While they might be sleeping for eight hours, they might not be getting to some of the heavier parts of sleep.
To beat this sleep type, people should go for a quick walk in natural sunshine in the middle of the day, light their room dimly in the evening and ensure they have thick material on their curtains.
This will all help your body to produce melatonin – the sleep hormone.
The Maverick
Of all the sleep personas, The Maverick is the most erratic.
Their sleep pattern is all out of whack and while their body might crave consistency, it’s the one thing they don’t have.
This sleep personality should try and keep a sleep diary and establish some sort of pattern, no matter how basic.
The Maverick’s sleep pattern is all out of whack and while their body might crave consistency, it’s the one thing they don’t have (stock image)
The Sleep Master
This personality has their shut-eye down to a T.
Totally in tune with their natural body clock, their sleep pattern is close to perfect insofar as they fall asleep quickly after getting to bed, sleep and wake, feeling naturally rested.
There isn’t much this sleep type can do to improve their routine, apart from that they keep doing what they’re doing.
The Catcher Upper
The Catcher Upper tries to burn the candle at both ends through the week, only to then attempt to ‘bank’ as much sleep as possible at night.
This results in a confused body clock and general feeling of jet lag, whatever the time of week.
The Catcher Upper could benefit from limiting naps where possible, and especially after 2pm.
They could also do with trying to set a bit more of a routine.
The Night Owl
Last but not least, The Night Owl thrives in the small hours and is often forced to wake up before they’ve completed the five cycles of sleep.
Their natural body clock is set to a slightly later time zone, and this might have an effect on their day.
Try adjusting your routine by an hour if you fit into this demographic, and you’ll feel almost instantly better as a result.