A recent study suggests that your sleep position might be linked to your financial success. The survey, conducted among over 5,000 people in the UK, explored how sleep habits correlate with earnings. The results are intriguing: nearly a third (29%) of the highest earners sleep in the “freefall” position, lying on their stomachs with their head to the side and arms around a pillow.
While this sleep position is common among high-income individuals, experts caution that it can lead to neck pain. Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, explains that while sleeping on your back or side is generally safe, the freefall position can strain the neck, as it remains twisted all night.
The survey, commissioned by Bed Slats, not only examined sleep positions but also considered sleep duration, wake-up times, and income. The most popular sleep position overall was the foetal position (29%), followed by the pillow hugger position (24%). Other common positions included “the thinker” (13%) and “the soldier” (10%).
However, the sleep patterns of high earners differed. Among the top 10% of earners, the freefall position was most common, followed by “the soldier” (23%), and the foetal position (21%). According to body language expert Inbaal Honigman, the freefall position suggests that these individuals may be more likely to take risks—leaping first and asking questions later.
Beyond positions, the survey revealed that high earners tend to sleep slightly less than their lower-earning counterparts. On average, top earners sleep about 6 hours and 58 minutes each night, 22 minutes less than those in lower income brackets. They also wake up earlier, at 6:42 a.m. compared to 7:06 a.m. for lower earners.
Despite the popularity of the freefall position among top earners, sleep experts generally advise against sleeping on your stomach. Martin Seeley, a sleep expert at MattressNextDay, recommends side sleeping, as it helps improve circulation, digestion, and airway health, reducing the risk of snoring.
Whatever your preferred sleep position, experts agree that having the right support is key to a good night’s sleep. A quality pillow that aligns the head, neck, and spine properly can prevent neck pain and other discomforts, according to Artis. "Your head weighs about 4.5 to 5.5 kilograms, and poor pillow support can lead to stiff necks or persistent headaches," she added.
