We all have our unique way of sleeping. Some people sleep on their stomachs, others on their side, and others even sleep on their back. In fact each of us also place our hands in varying positions and combinations, which can reveal a lot about personality and health.
The meaning of hand placement while you sleep and your character is engaging. For example, if you sleep with your hands clenched into fists, it could signify feelings of stress or anxiousness. On the other hand, if you sleep with your hands open and relaxed, it’s a good sign that you’re feeling calm and comfortable.
Most Common Hand Positions While Sleeping
- Sleeping with your hands by your sides.
- Sleeping with your hands behind your head.
- Sleeping with your hands crossed over the chest.
- Sleeping with one hand under the pillow.
- Sleeping with both hands under the pillow is the least common hand position.
Which Position is Best for a Good Night’s Sleep?
There’s no one correct hand position while sleeping. Everyone is different and naturally gravitates to different hand positions based on their personality and emotions.
Sleeping with your hands in certain positions can affect the flow of chi energy in your body. Chi is often described as a life force energy that flows through all living things. When our chi is balanced, we are healthy, and when it is out of balance, we can become sick. Many factors can affect the flow of chi in our bodies, including our emotions, diet, and even the way we sleep. For example, sleeping with your hands crossed over your chest can block the flow of chi energy and lead to feelings of anxiety or depression, and
sleeping with your hands behind your head can cause headaches or neck pain. However, sleeping with your hands on your stomach can help alleviate stress and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
The best way to promote good chi flow is to sleep with your hands in a natural position at your sides, as this allows the energy to flow freely through your body and helps to keep you healthy and balanced.
Sleeping Position And Its Connection To Your Zodiac Sign
According to astrology, our zodiac sign can tell us a lot about our personality, and it turns out that the position of our hands while we sleep can also be connected to our zodiac sign.
Sagittarius: This zodiac sign is associated with travel and adventure. So it’s no surprise that people who belong to this sign tend to sleep with their hands open and relaxed. This hand position shows that they’re ready to take on anything new that comes their way.
Aquarius: Aquarians are known to be innovative and creative. They think outside the box, so often position their hands above their head as if reaching for the stars.
Capricorn: Capricorn is the zodiac sign associated with ambition and determination. Capricorns are go-getters and often position their hands close to the chest as if holding on to their goals.
Pisces: Pisces individuals are associated with compassion and vulnerability. As they are known for their caring and nurturing nature, they often position their hands close to their heart, as if they’re holding on to something dear.
Aries: People who are Aries are known for being independent and self-sufficient. So it’s no surprise their hands are placed in a fist or by their side, which shows that they’re ready to take on anything that comes their way.
Taurus: Taurus people are down-to-earth, practical, and take things slow and steady. Sleeping hand placement is usually close to the body as if they’re holding on to something precious.
Libra: Librans are known for being fair and just and often seek balance in all areas of their life. Hand position when sleeping is across their body as if they’re holding on to something in each hand.
Scorpio: Those in the sign of Scorpio are known for being passionate and intense, going after what they want with determination. Scorpios usually position their hands close to their chest as if holding on to something tightly.
Virgo: Virgoans are hard-working and detail-oriented and often like to have everything in its place. Virgoans usually position their hands by their side as if ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice.
Gemini: Those under the sign of Gemini are known for being adaptable and resourceful. They often like multiple options and paths and position their hands close to their head as if they’re trying to remember something important.
Cancer: Individuals under the sign of Cancer are known for being emotional and compassionate. They often nurture and care for others and position their hands close to their heart as if holding on to something dear.
Leo: Leo’s people are known for being confident and outgoing and enjoy being in the spotlight. So, people who are Leos usually position their hands above their heads as if reaching for the stars.
The Scientific Guide -What Sleeping Hand Position Says About You
There’s a lot of science behind the importance of hand positions; however, here are a few key points:
- Hand position can affect your brain waves. A study found that people who slept with their hand’s face down had more slow-wave sleep, also known as deep sleep, which is critical for restoration and repair.
- Hand position can also affect your hormones. For example, those that sleep in a fetal position with their hand tucked up under the chin were found to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It turns out that sleeping in the fetal position puts pressure on your adrenal glands, which can trigger cortisol release.
- Hand position can even affect your blood flow. A study found that those who slept with their arms outstretched had better blood flow throughout the night as this position allows your heart to pump blood more efficiently.
Lets look at where we place our hands while sleeping, the different hand positions and their meaning from a science-based approach.
Back
Sleeping with both hands behind your back means that you are secretive and don’t like to share information about yourself, suggesting that you are independent and want to do things on your own.
On the other hand, if you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand behind your back, it indicates that you are reserved and slow to trust others, as sharing your feelings with others is uncomfortable, and you see yourself as independent and self-sufficient.
Body
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other across your body, you are a guarded person who is slow to trust others -you are trying to protect yourself from being hurt. Two hands across the body indicate that you are a very private person who does not like to share information about yourself with others as you don’t want anyone to know too much about you in case they use it against you.
Chest
If you sleep with your hands crossed over your chest, it could mean that you’re a perfectionist. People who sleep like this are often Type A personalities always striving for excellence. However, this hand position can also indicate that you feel defensive or closed off.
Sleeping with both hands resting on your chest means you’re a peaceful person who hates conflict and sleeping with one hand under your pillow and the other resting on your chest means you are gentle and caring.
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other on your chest, you’re a deep-feeling person who wears their heart on their sleeve.
When both hands are on your chest, you’re an emotional person who deeply feels things, and when you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other over your chest, you’re a compassionate person who cares about others, and two hands mean you are a kind-hearted person who loves to help others.
Eyes
Sleeping with both hands over your eyes means you’re a deep thinker who is always searching for answers.
When one hand is under your pillow and the other over your eyes, you’re a deep thinker who is always searching for answers; two hands over your eyes means you’re a dreamer who loves to escape into fantasy.
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand over your eyes, it means you’re a dreamer who loves to escape into fantasy.
Sleeping with one hand under your pillow and the other over your eyes means you like to dream, always ready to drift off into another world. You’re creative and imaginative, always looking for new ways to explore your mind.
Face
Sleeping with both hands touching your face means you are a highly emotional person who feels things deeply. This position indicates that you are in touch with their emotions and sensitive to the world around them.
Those who sleep with one hand under their pillow and the other touching their face are also highly emotional individuals, but to a lesser degree than those who sleep with both hands touching their face.
Hands
When sleeping often our hands are resting in one of four positions, ing the air, outstretched in a fist, or pointing towards the door
1. Air
If you sleep with your hands in the air, it’s a sign that you are optimistic, open to new things and ready to take on whatever comes your way.
If you enjoy sleeping with a hand under your pillow and the other hand reaching out towards the ceiling, you are an adventurous person who likes to try everything. If both hands reach upward, you are a risk-taker always up for new ventures.
2. Outstretched
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand outstretched, you’re a good listener and an excellent communicator.
3. Fist
If you are sleeping with one fist under your pillow and the other clenched, you’re a passionate person who is always up for a good fight. If you sleep with clenched hands, it could be a sign that you are feeling stressed or emotional. On the other hand, sleeping with both fists clenched reveals that you are an extremely determined person that doesn’t give up easily.
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other in a fist, you’re a passionate person who always stands up for your beliefs. Likewise, sleeping with both hands curled up in a fist means you are a determined fighter, no matter how challenging the situation.
4. Door
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand reaching out towards the door, you’re an adventurous person who loves to explore new things. If both hands reach towards the door, you are a risk-taker who is always up for anything. Sleeping with both hands clutching a pillow means you’re a homebody who loves the comforts of familiar surroundings. Sleeping with your hands open is a good sign of feeling calm and comfortable. In addition, this hand position shows that you’re open to new experiences and aren’t afraid to let go of what’s holding you back.
Head
Sleeping with your hands behind your head is a sign that you’re a deep thinker and like to mull over an issue and think things through before making a decision. On the other hand, if you sleep with both hands behind your head, it could mean that you’re an extrovert who loves to be the center of attention, likes to be in control and are not afraid to take risks. In addition, you are an outgoing person who loves socializing and meeting new people. However, this hand position can also indicate that you feel stressed or anxious.
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand behind your head, you’re a confident person comfortable in your own skin; you are an independent thinker who likes to do things your way.
Heart
If you sleep with your hands over your heart, it’s a sign that you’re a romantic and compassionate person and that you care about others and want to make a connection; though it also may signify you are a hopeless romantic who loves to dream about your perfect partner.
Sleeping with both hands over your heart means you’re a hopeless romantic who dreams of finding your soulmate. If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand over your heart, it means you’re a romantic person who believes in love. With both hands over your heart, you are a hopeless romantic who loves to dream about your perfect partner.
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand over your heart, it means you’re a romantic person who believes in true love.
Mouth
If you sleep with one hand over your mouth, you’re a sympathetic person who readily feels other people’s pain. Sleeping with both hands over your mouth means you are a great listener and a very private person who doesn’t like to share information about yourself with others.
Neck
Sleeping with both hands wrapped around your neck means you’re a very private person who doesn’t like to share your feelings with others. If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other wrapped around your neck, you’re a protective person who always looks out for others.
Side
People who sleep with their hands at their side are usually calm and relaxed. This hand position is often associated with mental and emotional well-being as people who sleep with their hands by their sides are often level-headed and rational.
Stomach
Sleeping with your hands on your stomach could signify that you’re an optimist who approaches life positively. You are a laid-back person who doesn’t take life too seriously and finds the silver lining in every situation. Placing your hands on the stomach can also help relieve indigestion and heartburn.
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other on your stomach, you’re a relaxed person who can let go of stress quickly.
Pillow, Covers/Sheet, Toy
Lastly, we have the materials around us or with us as we sleep and our interaction with the covers, pillow, sheets or toy.
Covers
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand underneath the covers, you’re a warm person who loves to be surrounded by people. Sleeping with both hands underneath the covers means you are a shy person who is uncomfortable in social situations.
Pillow
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand clutching a pillow, it means you’re a security-seeking person who craves comfort and stability.
Sheets
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other holding onto the bed sheets, you’re a worrier who tends to overthink things. On the other hand, sleeping with both hands holding onto the bed sheets means you are a very cautious person who likes to plan everything in advance.
Toy
If you sleep with one hand under your pillow and the other hand wrapped around a stuffed animal/toy, you are a child at heart who still loves to play and have fun.
Final Thoughts
There is something exhilarating about a good night’s sleep. You know the feeling: you wake up refreshed, recharged, and ready to tackle the day. Then there are those times you can’t seem to drift off into dreamland. On those nights you struggle to catch some zzz’s, try a different hand position.
