The way we sleep has a considerable impact on our lives. Sleep is a vital ingredient for our well-being, overall health, work capacity and peace of mind. We should pay increased attention to our sleeping schedule and habits, as they say so much about us and can even help us identify affections we didn’t know about.

For instance, I recently found out that “morning people” are more likely to get better grades in school, while “night owls” usually score higher in mental capacity (generally associated with considerable career success). That’s what sleep science says! Also, falling asleep any time you want may, in fact, be a giveaway sign of undiagnosed sleep apnea. Here are a few more fascinating things you probably didn’t know about your sleeping habits:

Side Sleeping Helps your Health

Numerous researches have shown that side sleeping is the best way to protect our health. According to an experimental study carried on by Stony Brook University (New York), you may be less likely to develop the Alzheimer disease if you sleep on your side: that particular sleep posture helps the body disperse waste out of the brain.

As side sleeping also improves your heart, blood circulation, digestion and many other essential processes happening inside your body, most bed manufacturers have designed products distinctively dedicated to side sleepers. They provide excellent support and pressure relief: take the Tulo mattress, for instance, with four layers of foam, arranged in a particular way to grant the body the best possible backing during sleep.

The Restless Leg Syndrome

If your sleep pattern is usually disrupted by suddenly waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go to sleep again unless you get up and move around a little bit, it may be a sign of a neurological disorder called the restless leg syndrome. Luckily, it’s effortless to diagnose and keep under control.

Pessimism Versus Optimism

If you usually stay up late (and I mean too late night after night), and you ought to wake up early in the morning, you will soon suffer from sleep deprivation. The two habits combined indicate that you may be a pessimist: according to sleep science, people experiencing that sleep pattern tend to develop negative thoughts; they also worry too much about the future and overthink lousy past experiences. Going to bed early and sleeping for at least 8 hours per night shows that you are more of an optimist.

The “Weekend Sleep” – Not a Smart Strategy

If you only get 4 to 6 hours of rest per night through the week, but you hope to “catch up” with your sleep during the weekends, you should know that your strategy has an upside and a downside as well. It does partly help you recover after a tough week, but it doesn’t represent a valid long-term plan. Such an irregular sleep pattern will have a negative impact on your immune system, attention span, and focus; also, it might increase your food cravings, which could lead to obesity over time.

Tossing and Turning

Hyperthyroidism is a condition which impacts the sleep: it causes you to turn and toss in bed, leading to consistent insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and increased irritability. Medical care, a healthy diet, and a well-established sleep schedule should help you overcome such issues.