Anyone who struggles to fall asleep or tosses and turns all night long may feel like they’ve tried everything to get a good night’s sleep. But according to Shelby Harris, sleep expert and psychologist, figuring out your sleep personality can be a game-changer. She says knowing your sleep quirks and adjusting your habits based on them can help you get more rest during the night.
Harris says improving your sleep quality starts with determining what kind of sleeper you really are. These are the five sleep personalities, according to this expert.
- The busy brain - These people have racing thoughts and anxiety when they’re trying to fall asleep. Harris says it can also be “that the volume on your brain is at 10, and you can’t turn it down.” For this type, she recommends a “brain dump,” involving journaling or writing a list to get all those anxious thoughts out so you can focus and let go of busy thoughts.
- The temperature extremist - This sleep personality may wake up freezing or sweating, and may include those having hot flashes or night sweats. These sleepers may want to keep their bedroom between 65 and 68-degrees and have a heavy blanket and a light one, to switch out as needed.
- The sensitive sleeper - Some people are more likely to wake up when they hear any noises during the night. Harris says they may benefit from high-tech solutions, like white noise or noise-blocking earbuds.
- The night owl and the early bird - Both of these types get enough sleep, but only if the early bird goes to bed early and the night owl gets to sleep really late, and that doesn’t always work with their schedules. To shift your sleep schedule, consider how much light you’re getting and how active you are before bed.
- The sandman - Those with this sleep personality may feel like they’re too good at sleeping since they start snoozing easily, but that doesn’t mean they’re getting good quality sleep. If you wake up feeling tired after getting plenty of sleep or regularly fall asleep within five minutes, it’s worth talking to your doctor or a sleep specialist about possible underlying issues.
Source: Today