This is part one of a three part series on the Enneagram and how your number affects your sleep. There are a lot of online tools that can identify your number quickly; however, it is suggested to read The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile to learn how to identify your number. Like any self-assessment, online surveys and calculations vary so try listening to Suzanne’s podcast, Enneagram Journey, or read her book.

Today we are talking about our friends identified as a 8, 9, or 1. According to the Enneagram Institute, this identifies as:

• Type 8 is self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational;
• Type 9 is receptive, reassuring, complacent, and resigned; and
• Type 1 is principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.

But let’s back up and visually look at each number. The Enneagram is more intricate than the simplicity of this, but it gives a good reference point.

In the Enneagram, each number is assigned a center of intelligence or a characteristic. For our 8s, 9s, and 1s, this is the gut or anger group in the doing triad of the bunch. Whatever your number, this is how you interpret, see, and react to the world around you. A simple question to reflect on then is “What do you do with what you see in your world?”

So what does all this have to do with sleep? Let’s think about what it means to be part of the doing triad. These are our action-oriented people. They believe purpose is power and control with accomplishment, action, and determination.

Type 1s thrive on consistency. A nighttime routine is essential to them sleeping well. If sleeping well at night or falling asleep have been tough, it could be you are overthinking.

• First, make a to-do list before entering your bedroom. This can help you prioritize what you need to accomplish the next day.
• Create an oasis in the bedroom with soft lighting. This is helpful to all types, but especially helpful to our 1s as they work to relax and decompress.
• Turn off electronics at least an hour before bedtime. Think about plugging your phone in across the room away from your bed.
• Light stretching or yoga could help you meditate before bedtime. Try not to increase your heart rate too much.
• Read in bed something light. Reading is a great way to end your day, but diving into a thriller or book that causes more anxiety to overthink is not going to help. Keep it light.

Type 8s like a challenge so make your routine at night a challenge. The best way to start is through a wearable device. You have a hard time slowing down as an 8 and you do not want to accept help that can be uncontrolled. By wearing a device to track your sleep, you can start solving the problems of inadequate sleep through the app. Retreating to a familiar space will be helpful so create a comfortable bedroom for sleeping.

Type 9s are tricky. You see a peacemaker and think they are unaffected by stress. But it is the opposite: they control their lives by avoiding conflict. This can bring up a lot of bottled anxiety at bedtime.

• Concentrate on alone time at bed. This does not mean you need to sleep by yourself, but it does mean you need to decompress.
• Start with journaling. It is hard for the doing triad to express their feelings so start with your own journal no one else has to read.
• Meditating or praying at bedtime helps the peacemakers settle down. Peace is needed not only externally but internally for this group.

For those who rely on music or noise for sleep, Sleeping at Last has an Enneagram songbook called Atlas. Once you understand more about your number, concentrate on 8, 9, and 1 along with the body tracks.

If you feel you have signs and symptoms of sleep apnea you should schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist. The best way to know for certain is to have a sleep study conducted. If anything, the sleep test will rule out sleep apnea and will allow you to focus attention on other potential factors mentioned previously.

If you live in Alaska and a sleep disorder is becoming worrisome, contact the Alaska Sleep Clinic @ 907-357-6700 to receive a free 10-minute phone consultation with a sleep educator by clicking the link below.