Researchers have discovered a link between financial success and the position in which a person sleeps.
A large-scale British study commissioned by Bed Slats revealed a sleeping posture favored by nearly one-third of high-income individuals. The freefall position, which many find uncomfortable, may, according to researchers, hold the secret to financial success.
However, there’s a catch: aside from its discomfort, this position can lead to certain health issues.
How Was the Study Conducted?
A team of scientists surveyed 5,438 Britons about their sleeping positions, average sleep duration, wake-up times on weekdays, and their income levels.
The most popular position turned out to be the relatively comfortable fetal position, chosen by 29 percent of respondents. The pillow-hugging position was preferred by 24 percent, the freefall position by 14 percent, the thinker position by 13 percent, and the soldier position by 10 percent.
How Do the Wealthy Sleep?
Researchers separately surveyed the top 10 percent of earners among the participants. It turned out that nearly one-third of this group (29 percent) considered the freefall position to be the best for them.
This means these individuals sleep on their stomachs, with their heads turned to the side and their arms wrapped around a pillow, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The popularity of other sleeping positions among this category of participants was distributed as follows: soldier position (23%), fetal position (21%), pillow-hugging (13%), and thinker (9%).
The study also showed that high earners sleep an average of 6 hours and 58 minutes, which is 22 minutes less than those with lower incomes.
Moreover, financially successful individuals wake up on average at 6:42 AM, while those with lower incomes wake up at 7:06 AM.
Expert Opinions
While the freefall position is quite common among high-income individuals, experts have warned that it can cause significant neck pain.
Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of the charity The Sleep Charity, noted, “Sleeping on your back or side is fine, but we recommend avoiding sleeping on your stomach, as it puts a lot of strain on the neck, which is constantly twisted throughout the night.”
Inbaal Honigman, a body language expert, pointed out, “The most popular sleeping positions are protective, such as the introverted fetal position, where people curl up to shield themselves, as well as the pillow-hugging position.”
Regarding the freefall position, it resembles the body configuration a person assumes when jumping out of an airplane. According to Ms. Honigman, this may indicate that high-income individuals are inherently risk-takers. “They jump first and ask questions later,” she said.
The expert also highlighted that the consequences of such sleeping can include neck pain, stiffness, and even chronic headaches. Meanwhile, sleep expert Martin Seeley stated that the best position is sleeping on one’s side: “It helps improve circulation and digestion, as well as open the airways for easier breathing, which reduces the likelihood of snoring.”