I'm a doctor... and your sleeping position reveals a lot about your health

A professional psychologist has revealed the five most common sleeping positions that suggest you may be under high stress. 

Dr Kyle Osbourne, a clinical psychologist at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital in Philadelphia, said stress and sleep quality are closely linked, with stress impacting sleep and poor sleep exacerbating stress.

When you are under stress, your body releases cortisol, a critical hormone in managing your body’s reaction to stress.

In addition to controlling our sleep-wake cycle, cortisol helps us regulate our metabolism and reduce inflammation. 

Prolonged, elevated cortisol levels or chronic stress can disrupt these processes, leading to inflammation, chronic pain, anxiety, depression and even the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

This link between sleep and stress can also interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps your body sleep properly. Low amounts of melatonin can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia. 

Experts note that the sleeping on your side is the best position but when under stress, you may contort yourself into positions such as the Flamingo or Mountain Climber. 

Below, DailyMail.com details the common sleeping positions Dr Osbourne says are clear indicators of the body and mind being in stress: 

The Mummy 

Similarly to a mummy in a burial shroud, this style refers to lying flat on the back with the legs extended straight out and the arms crossed over the chest.

While the mummy style of sleeping can help reduce snoring, sleep apnea and improve spinal alignment, sleeping stiffly with your arms crossed over your chest can also indicate you're feeling anxious, defensive or frustrated. 

Your arm position may also show a yearning for comfort or a subconscious attempt to protect oneself, potentially suggesting underlying stress or anxiety. 

The Tree-Climber

Also known as the spread-out position, the tree-climber involves lying on your stomach with your arms extended up at 90 degrees and one of your legs pulled upward also at 90 degrees. 

At times, underlying stress can cause muscle tension, making it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position and forcing a person to resort to sleeping on their stomach. 

However, this can worsen previous health conditions such as snoring, sleep apnea aggravation, back or neck pain. 

Dr Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist explained to Psychology Today: 'Stomach sleeping can be hard on your back and neck, causing additional pain and discomfort.

'That's because when you're stretched out on your stomach, it's practically impossible to keep your spine and neck aligned and not under pressure. Your neck is turned at a 90-degree angle from the rest of your body and elevated by your pillow.

'That's a recipe for neck pain and strain. Sleeping on your stomach causes a pronounced curve in your spine - it's sort of like sleeping in a back bend all night - which puts pressure on your lower back and can cause pain and stiffness. 

'Stomach sleeping also pushes your face into your pillow, which can lead to more wrinkles and signs of aging.'

Furthermore, sleeping with your arms at angle that leaves them above your head can lead to numbness or tingling in your hands or arms due to pressure on nerves.

Pillow Stacker 

While having all your favorite pillows under your neck may give you comfort and help your acid reflux, it can cause stress, fatigue and mental health issues. 

Lifting your head too much or using too many pillows can lead to neck ache, which can affect sleep quality and cause discomfort. 

A poor night's sleep increases fatigue and a lack of energy, which can cause irritability and affect your mental health in the long run. 

Additionally, a prolonged lack of sleep can also lead to a range of health issues, including increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease as well as impaired immune function and cognitive decline. 

Research suggests that sleeping with just one pillow is best as it raises the head only slightly so that both the head and neck are aligned. 

The Fetal position

The baby, or fetal sleep position, is where a person sleeps on their side with their legs curled up and their arms either hugged around them or kept close to the chest - mimicking the position of a fetus in the womb. 

While the posture can improve blood circulation, it may indicate sensitivity and anxiety.

When faced with extreme stress, our bodies naturally resort to the 'self-soothing' fetal position, much like an infant would - suggesting that person may be unconsciously  self-soothing themselves. 

According to Dr Aarti Grover, Medical Director for the Center for Sleep at Tufts Medical Center: 'Sleeping in the fetal position has been associated with people who have anxiety and need comfort.'  

However, the position can also cause knee pain as the ligaments around the knees and hips become inflamed due to the constant flexion occurring at those joints. 

The Flamingo 

This sleeping position is when a person sleeps on their back with one leg bent and pulled towards the body while the other remains straight - how a flamingo sleeps in the wild.

While some people find this position comfortable and relaxing as it can help with spinal alignment and reduce pressure on certain areas, others believe it is a sign of heightened stress or nervous system activity.  

However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim. 

Apart from this, sleeping on your back can potentially lead to snoring and sleep apnea. At times, it may also cause acid reflux. 

Dr. Lois Krahn, a Mayo Clinic sleep specialist explained: 'I know many people find it to be comfortable, because they're not putting weight on their joints. 

'Sleeping on the back means that your tongue and jaw can fall down and crowd your airway. And many people snore more on their back.'