How do you like to sleep?

Your Sleep Style Decoded

Are you a crab, a soldier or a spooner? How you sleep together as a couple (and we do actually mean sleep!) can reveal insights into your relationship.

By Caitlin Moscatello

Sure, you want to spend every waking minute together. But how you sleep (as in, eyes shut, drool on the pillow) can say just as much about your relationship as how you act during the day. Think of it like this: Remember when you worked late all week and he promised to clean and then forgot? And as soon as you came home and he saw the what-a-schmuck look on your face, he ran to grab a broom and pour you a glass of wine? Yeah. Silence speaks louder than words ... and this includes the quiet language of sleep.

The Football
What It Is: Both on your sides, facing each other, with one foot touching
What It Means: Having just one foot touching is more than enough contact for Footballers, who don't need 24/7 TLC to feel close. You both have jam-packed schedules ... and love it! Sure, you don't spend as much quality time with each other as you'd like, but that makes those rare moments together special.
Quirks & Perks: A lazy Sunday is just about your worst nightmare. You'd much rather wake up early, go for a power run together, and check out that new brunch place your (many) friends have been telling you about.

Classic Spoon
What It Is: Full front-to-back contact, with one person tucked into the other — you know, spooning.
What It Means: Lying like this shows you have a pure outlook on your relationship and take on more traditional roles. The person on the outside likes to feel as if they can shield the other from problems, while the person on the inside is sensitive and doesn't mind not being in control. Classic Spooners are extremely supportive and never go to bed angry.
Quirks & Perks: Spooners are all about comfort — and comfort foods. You both love digging into apple pie, meatloaf, and pretty much anything that's warm, gooey, and generally not good for you.

Tetherball
What It Is: One of you on your back with a single hand on the other person
What It Means: You're independent but also willing to compromise. You disagree on politics, religion, and how the toilet seat should be left, but love finding common ground.
Quirks & Perks: Romantic dinners can often turn into heated talks for you debater-types. Luckily, nothing turns you on more than a glass of wine and some hot back-and-forth.

Cliff-Hangers
What It Is: Sleeping on opposite sides of the bed with your backs to each other
What It Means: Getting shut-eye in this position can simply mean you're practical (hey, there's plenty of room in that big bed) and like your leg room, but it may also signal a bit of distance in your relationship.
Quirks & Perks: You like art. He likes sports. You're a vegetarian. He puts bacon on everything. You drive a hybrid. He drives a Hummer. You're total opposites, but you also truly appreciate all of each other's differences ... and each other's personal space.

Solo Sleep Styles
Snooze differently than your significant other? Here's what your pose means.

The Spaghetti Noodle
You sleep on your side with your arms out and are very mellow.
Pairs with: The Soldier. You're so go-with-the-flow, you need a little structure!

The Crab
You lie face-down, like you're making out with your pillow, and you tend to be stubborn.
Pairs with: The Spaghetti Noodle. Let's face it: You need someone loose enough to bend around you.

The Soldier
You sleep on your back with your arms at your sides. Type A much?
Pairs with: The Womb. A Womb sleeper's softness will soothe your rigid side.

The Womb
You curl up and are as thoughtful as you are cozy.
Pairs with: The Crab. You sleep in a tiny ball, and lucky for you, a Crab isn't into all-night snuggling.

Nestperts: Evany Thomas, author of The Secret Language of Sleep; Patti Wood, body language expert


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