Robert Phipps, a body language expert, has studied the four most common sleeping positions to determine how it reflects a person s personality and outlook on life.

The results, he claims, can identify how stressful your day was, how much you worry and how much control you have over your life.

It is said to reveal traits such as stubbornness, bossiness and fanciful dreaming, as well as how self-critical a person is or whether they feel in control of life.

According to his research, more than half of British adults sleep in the “foetal” position, curled up on their side with knees tucked in.

This stance, favoured by worriers, is said to show the sleeper is seeking to return to their comfort zone after a stressful day.

Foetal sleepers are conscientious, ordered and like things in their place, according to the study, but are also in danger of over-thinking problems and worrying unnecessarily.

The research, for budget hotel chain Premier Inn, revealed the “log” as the second most popular position, adopted by nearly three in every ten people.

The log position, with a straight body and limbs at the sides, shows a person is inflexible and rigid in thinking, set in their ways and stubborn.

They may appear bossy to others, and so should aim to “stretch themselves” and embrace the challenges and excitement of a new day, it is claimed.

A quarter of people taking part in the study classed themselves as “yearners”, sleeping with their arms stretched out in front as though they are chasing their dreams or being chased.

Those who adopt it can feel as if life “happens around them” and they are just “hanging on for the ride”, believing they lack control over what will happen the next day.

So-called freefallers can wake up feelings anxious, or believing they still have issues and tasks left over from the previous day.

According to the research, they should aim to deal with things one step at a time, taking control of each day so they feel motivated to “be the boss of their own destiny”.

The study, of 1,000 British adults, allowed participants to select more than one option, with some selecting several sleeping positions in their responses.

"Sleep like a log" is the old adage and people who sleep in this straight line can wake up stiffer than when they went to sleep. Try to relax more and let your muscles unwind from the day s hassles and you ll wake up feeling more flexible in your thinking.