Each person has an inner clock that governs when they feel like sleeping and their level of alertness throughout the day. It probably won’t come as a big surprise that sleep patterns are a significant issue for many Americans.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly half (45%) of Americans admit that insufficient or poor sleep impacts their daily activities at least once per week. Despite sleeping the recommended number of hours, one-third (35%) of Americans state that their sleep quality is “only fair” or “poor.”
So, how are we sleeping? It turns out, quite differently. While a humorous list, there is a grain of truth in these different types of sleepers. What kind are you?
Just about everyone is familiar with snorts, grumbles, and rattles that come with a snoring sleeper. Unfortunately, snoring is no joke. People who snore and those who love them rarely get quality sleep.
The regular snorers generally don’t get enough oxygen, which can be a sign of how the throat and nose are relaxed or positioned. Some people only snore under certain conditions, such as when they’ve been drinking or are extremely tired.
Snoring can also be a sign of another condition called sleep apnea, characterized by a pause in breathing. If you or a loved one snore, this isn’t something you want to ignore because it can impact your health and quality of life.
Do you mumble or have complete conversations while sleeping? If so, you probably fall into this category. But you aren’t alone. About half of all children tend to have conversations while they sleep.
While some “sleep talking” can be harmless, it can also be a sign of anxiety or stress. If your only outlet for your troubles is to unload them while you sleep, you might be doing yourself a disservice.
Similar to the “babbler,” some people simply can’t remain in one place while they sleep. We’re not talking about turning over a few times per night but rather moving all over the bed so much that it nearly equates to a full cardio workout.
In some cases, excessive movement while sleeping can be equated to having vivid dreams. But, in others, the squirming might be due to stress or anxiety. Depending on the cause, it might be worth exploring whether there are ways to have a more restful and stationary night’s sleep.
Everyone loves their pets, right? Most of our furry friends are so soft and cuddly and that it’s perfectly normal to want to bring them into the bedroom and turn them into real, live teddy bears.
In most cases, there’s nothing wrong with snuggling up with fido or mittens. But it’s important to understand that some animals carry microbes and other parasites that can be transmitted to humans. This is particularly vital information for pregnant women.
While technically not a type of sleeper, this activity can wreak havoc with a good night’s rest. Some people wake in the night to use the restroom and, since they’re already up, decide to make a detour into the kitchen.
This behavior might seem harmless but it could be a signal of underlying medical issues such as insulin insensitivity and sugar dysregulation. If there is a history of diabetes in your family or you have other risk factors such as smoking or being overweight, you should discuss your activity with your physician.
Similar to The Midnight Snacker, a Night Owl tends to stay up later than the average person. According to popular science, this trait is common with people of higher intelligence. But, before you pat yourself on the back for belonging to this class, is it really such a great idea to burn the midnight oil?
Night owls tend to have so much on their plate that they are overstressed and suffer from sleep deficiency. If you’re not getting enough sleep, it can also impact your physical and mental health. Maybe a few more hours of shut-eye would be beneficial.
This one seems self-explanatory. This type of sleeper probably doesn’t mean to steal all of the covers, but they’ll do so consistently. And it may not be a sign of a medical condition, but someone is likely to get hurt if you can’t figure out a solution.
It’s important to remember that The Covers Hog is generally completely asleep when they rip all of the covers off of you and wrap themselves up in them like a burrito. You can either learn to pull them back gently or have a spare blanket on hand.
This type of person tends to get hot as a tamale while sleeping and break into night sweats. For women, this can be a common occurrence and a sign of night sweats.
However, it can also be a sign of other serious medical conditions like an infection, metabolic disorder, or cancer. If you have consistent night sweats, speak to your physician.
These sleepers fall into a deep and heavy sleep from the moment their head hits the pillow. This might sound amazing, but it could be a sign of something more ominous.
If you can fall asleep anywhere or are always fighting exhaustion, you should speak with your physician. Some medical conditions that are characterized by excessive fatigue include depression, low vitamin D levels, and thyroid disorders.
Similar to The Sleeping Beauty, the Snoozer often has trouble getting up in the morning. This isn’t uncommon in teenagers who sleep a lot while going through growth spurts.
But it can also be a sign of restless sleep or other conditions that can impact your quality of life. If it’s a constant struggle to get out of bed and start your day, let your doctor know what’s going on.
Most people already have a fair idea about their sleep patterns. But, if you’re tired all the time, it makes sense to take a closer look at how you’re sleeping and what might be able to help improve your quality of sleep.
If you snore or have a snorer in your life, an anti-snore product could be the perfect solution. Sleep Connection’s anti-snore wristband can improve your sleep quality and help you wake up feeling more refreshed.
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