What your side of the bed says about you
Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? You may be surprised to
learn this is actually a thing – and it can have far more of an impact on your day than
you may think.
The side of the bed you choose to sleep on might also say things about your
personality. In fact, research suggests that your mood, attitude to work and even
income could be predicted by which side of the bed you choose to sleep on.
So what’s the deal, and why do we always choose sides?
What does ‘the wrong side of the bed’ mean?
Put simply, ‘waking up on the wrong side of the bed’ means that you’re grumpier
than usual. Most of us have been told it at some point in our lives, and we know
exactly what it means.
However, nobody’s entirely sure where the phrase came from. There are a few good
theories, though. Lots of old superstitions claim the left side of everything is unluckier
than the right; in Ancient Rome, it was even frowned upon to get out of the left side
of bed, as it might ruin the rest of your day.
If that’s the case, the famous phrase might have evolved because we incorrectly
thought the opposite of right was wrong, instead of left. We’ll probably never know.
In any case, it turns out that you really can get out of the wrong side of the bed.
That’s because if we sleep on a side that’s different to usual, we might not sleep as
well (after all, we are creatures of habit). And of course, sleeping badly is a surefire
way to make us feel grumpy.
People who sleep on the left
According to research, people who sleep on the left are likely to be more cheerful
than their right side counterparts.
A positive outlook allows lefties to be more capable at dealing with a heavy
workload, which means they’re not easily phased by a stressful day.
Those who sleep on the left believe they are calmer than their partner in a crisis and
are more confident in general. It’s also reported that left side sleepers are believed to
have a greater level of job satisfaction than right-siders.
Left-side sleepers may have something else going for them, too. In Feng Shui, the
ancient Chinese practise of arranging environments to bring harmony, the left side of
the bed is the best one to get out of, as it’s linked with wealth, power, and even good
health.
People who sleep on the right
It’s not all bad news for right-side sleepers though. In fact, it’s been suggested that
people who sleep on the right side of the bed tend to earn more money.
And if right-side sleepers have a less positive outlook, they’re also more likely to be
grounded and be prepared for worst-case scenarios, making left- and right-siders a
match made in heaven.
Sleeping next to the wall
Of course, the side of the bed you choose may have more to do with the position of
your bed than anything else. If you have claustrophobic tendencies, you’ll be less
likely to sleep next to a wall, and it’s harder to get out in the morning, and it can
make you feel more closed in. On the other hand, those who feel more secure when
they’re in enclosed spaces may avoid sleeping next to a window or door.
The practical side of the bed
Some sleepers claim the reasons for their choices relate more to practicality than
personality. Being closer to a radiator, further away from outside noise, having a
better view of a television, being closer to children or further from a window are all
reasons why people choose their side of the bed.
Arguing about your side of the bed
As many as 10% of couples actually argue about their side of the bed, which can
lead to one party being unhappy about the outcome. After all, you could both be
righties – and this would explain why the person waking up on the left is grumpier.
The good news is that choosing a side of the bed tends to be more about habit than
anything else. Even if you both initially want the same side, once we’re used to our
position, we like to stick to it. Unfamiliarity is the enemy of sleep, whereas routine
and certainty help us nod off.
In fact, over 75% of people believe they wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably on the
opposite side of the bed.
It’s the bed that counts
In conclusion, the side of the bed you choose can make a difference to how you feel
in the morning – but only because we’re creatures of habit. In reality, the most
important thing is the quality of sleep you receive. No one wakes up happy after a
broken and interrupted night.
We think we can help with that. With a Flyte Air mattress, you’ll wake up feeling
refreshed and ready for the working day. Our PVC Flock Air mattress contains a
heavy-duty wave beam construction providing additional spinal support. Want to get
the perfect night’s sleep and always wake up on the right side of the bed? Check
out our mattresses here (link to Vento Airbed)