Why do people turn over in their sleep?
Short answer
Turning over is an unconscious way for the sleeping body to adjust its position. It may reduce pressure and discomfort in one area and help manage body heat.
How it works
Staying in one position for a long time puts continued pressure on parts of the body. A turn changes the areas touching the mattress and can spread the load on muscles and joints.
Bedding and room temperature can also provide a reason to move. Sleep depth and the body’s condition affect movement as well, so the number and direction of turns do not have to be the same every night.
Key point
Turning over is not automatically a sign of shallow sleep. Movement varies with age, body shape, bedding, habits, and other conditions. There is no single number of turns that should be used as everyone’s standard.