Sleep Myth Monday: Sleep Positions

This is the latest installment of a regular feature here at SleepBetter.org: Sleep Myth Monday, where we bust sleep myths wide open, or verify that they’re actually not myths at all.

Myth or Truth: According to a 2012 survey, the most popular way to sleep is on your back.

MYTH

The most popular sleeping position, according to the 2003 survey conducted by British researcher Chris Idzikowski, is the fetal position. In this position, you’re on your side with your arms and legs curled in front of you. More than 40% of the respondents said this is their favorite sleeping position. It was followed, in order, by side sleeping (with legs straight and arms at your sides), on your back with arms down, and on your stomach with arms to your sides. To read more about these sleeping positions, check out this BBC story about the research.