What Your Sleeping Position Says About Your Mental Health

Key Takeaways

There’s little scientific evidence linking sleep position to mental health, despite online claims suggesting otherwise.

Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, disrupting sleep and worsening conditions like anxiety and depression.

Establishing a calming bedtime routine can help reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

Some TikTok creators claim that certain sleep positions, like the “mountain climber” or “flamingo,” reveal high stress or emotional tension.

While this sounds compelling, there’s little scientific support for that idea.

Does Your Sleep Position Mean Anything?

Bruce Tammelin, MD , medical director of the Providence St. Joseph Hospital Sleep Disorders Center, told Verywell that sleep position research is limited, noting the most-cited paper dates back to th