What’s Your Sleep Style? Plus 4 Tips For Better Rest

April 5, 2024 7:35 am by Peter Batz, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT/DN, AIB-VR/CONLeave a Comment

“Sleep style” refers to your body’s natural tendency to fall asleep at a certain time. To learn more about your sleep style and ways to get better rest, answer a few simple questions below.

What Kind Of Sleep Style Are You?

Q: Do You Like To Get Up And Start Your Day Bright And Early In The Morning?

A: If this is you, you would be considered a “Morning Lark/Early Bird”¹. You tend to be the most productive in the morning. This usually means that you tend to head to bed early as well.

Q: Do You Get Up Late And Stay Out Until The Early AM?

A: If this sounds like you, your sleep cycle would be considered a “Night Owl”¹. You usually don’t go to sleep until the following morning. 15% of the population are considered night owls.

Q: Do You Fall Somewhere In The Middle?

A: Most people tend to fall somewhere between the “early bird” and the “night owl”. They call these people “hummingbirds”¹. It is estimated that 55% of the population falls into this category. These people’s energy tends to vary from high to low throughout the day. Unlike “early birds,” however, they can stay up late for evening tasks.

Tips For A Better Night’s Sleep

Stick to a sleep schedule. Just like children, adults who tend to keep to a specific sleep time tend to have an easier time falling and staying asleep.
Stay away from caffeine towards the end of your day². You probably drank coffee or soda throughout the day to get the caffeine and energy to make it through your workday. However, having these close to bed can make it harder to get to sleep.
Avoid long naps. Again, just like with children, the longer you nap during the day and the closer it is to your bedtime, the harder it is to go to sleep for the night.
Avoid alcohol before bedtime. Alcohol has been shown to increase the symptoms of sleep apnea, snoring, and disrupted sleep patterns.

Physical Therapy Can Help

If you have more questions about improving your sleep style, please contact your local Athletico and schedule a free assessment. Free Assessments are available in-clinic and virtually through our Telehealth platform.

Schedule a Free Assessment

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.

References:
1. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/best-sleep-positions
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/17-tips-to-sleep-better#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

Peter Batz is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in orthopedics, vestibular therapy, headache/TMD, dry needling, ACL rehabilitation, and injury prevention. Peter graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He also completed an orthopedic residency through Evidence in Motion and obtained his Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS). He strives to get his patients back to performing at their peak levels so they can enjoy life to the fullest.