This is part two 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 2, 3, or 4. According to the Enneagram Institute, this identifies as:

• Type 2 is generous, demonstrative, people-pleasing, and possessive;
• Type 3 is adaptable, excelling, driven, and image-conscious; and
• Type 4 is expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.

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 2s, 3s, and 4s, this is the heart and shame group in the feeling 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 feeling triad. These are our feelers who need affection and esteem to guide their identity. They value emotion and relationships.

Type 2s have an important distinction from others 1-9 because they need permission to NOT be helpful. Twos are motivated by being helpful which translates to desire and love to them. They use their emotional intelligence more than any other number, but it also means they have a reluctance to rest.

• Pouring ourselves out to others can be exhausting. How can that be fixed? Put yourself first. Grab some bath salts and candles and relax. Read a good book. Turn off your phone. Relax.
• Like other numbers, starting a journal can help. Maybe you care so deeply for everyone that all the hurt in the world is circling at bedtime. How about making a list of people to pray or think about? Then you can check up the next day.
• Saying no will help in the long run even though it is especially hard for 2s. We love people if we are a 2 so we want relationships. But at what cost? Set boundaries for friends, home, and social media.

Type 3s need productivity to thrive. And they need it all the time. If there was an award for the best sleeper, they would want to achieve a certificate to show their friends. This group needs to find unproductivity a privilege and unwind from success in order to sleep well. There is nothing special to do in order to make this happen. But 3s should start with finding a hobby that does not measure success like calligraphy or playing an instrument. Once they find what is unproductive will sleep come.

Type 4s need to be connected often to art and nature to find who they truly are. It might sound hokey to some, but they believe in a deep sense of purpose reflected in beauty and authenticity.

• Each day 4s should get outside, behind a canvas, or on a stage to fuel their creativity. Once they break creativity, it is hard for them to find purpose, be happy, and feel grounded. This affects sleep as they easily can slip into loneliness.
• Getting back to basics in the bedroom is important for 4s. Find a sound machine, purchase blackout curtains, and buy some essential oils for an oasis of comfort.
• Seeking therapy may be an option 4s should look into if they feel like their purpose is lost. Considering their desire to contribute to society in meaningful ways, talking out their feelings with a professional could help find purpose in the small things leading to a more content heart.

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 2, 3, and 4 along with the heart tracks.

Alaska Sleep Clinic is always looking for ways to educate you for better sleep.  Call us today @ 907-357-6700 to speak with one of our board-certified sleep specialists.

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