No matter how long you’ve been together, there’s always something to discover about your partner, whether it’s something positive that strengthens the union or something that makes even long-term couples reconsider their relationship. That goes for sleep habits, too. Your spouse may have been sound asleep for years. Either way, what do you do when your life partner keeps you from getting a good night’s sleep? Chris WinterMD, a neurologist and mattress company sleep health expert, has an amazing approach and tips on how to pull it off. Read on to find out more about what you can do to help.
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Sleep is an important component of our overall health and is necessary for our bodies to function on multiple levels. It recommends getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night for behavioral function. Continued sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive and mood problems, leading to “obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, poor mental health, premature death,” according to the site.
But according to a 2017 survey conducted by the Better Sleep Council, 85% of American adults say they have trouble falling asleep at night. And 40% of these adults said their spouse or partner’s sleep habits were a problem.
There are several ways couples can wake each other up. Rolling over and snoring are common problems.Therapists, counselors and coaches say, “Having different sleep hygiene habits can cause one of you to go to bed late and the other to get in the way, creating problems with your bedroom and waking hours.” I am Sherry QuartieriRSW, Massachusetts.
Whatever the underlying condition of the problem, “lack of sleep can have a huge impact on your relationship,” warns Winter. They become numb, unable to read their emotions, become impulsive and prone to depression.”
If one (or both) in a relationship’s sleep habits are causing problems, Winter suggests trying a “sleep divorce.” It may sound dramatic, but it doesn’t require attorneys’ fees or legal documents. The term simply refers to couples who have decided not to sleep together. “Whenever one partner’s sleep interferes with another’s because of snoring, different work schedules, or restlessness, it makes sense to sleep apart,” says Winter.
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The word “divorce” has negative connotations that don’t necessarily portend a relationship, but opting for a sleep divorce can actually strengthen the relationship because both partners are well rested.
If you can’t imagine a night without a romantic partner, Winter encourages people to “refrain from thinking of healthy relationships and sleeping in the same bed as mutually exclusive,” suggesting sleep divorce, no exercise. Compare with other mundane decisions such as in pairs. “If you want to run together, that’s great, but if one of you likes to run in the morning and the other in the evening, that’s totally fine,” Winter explains. “I spend a lot of time telling couples it’s okay to sleep apart sometimes.”
If you’re having trouble deciding on a sleep divorce, Winter suggests sleeping apart only on certain days of the week. says. “This will help you feel less guilty about not sleeping together, get the sleep you need, and give you a chance to determine if your spouse is really your sleep disruptor. .”
After all, sleeping apart can give clues to other factors, such as temperature and outside noise, that are really disrupting your sleep.
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Winter says that allowing them to sleep in separate rooms is the ideal way to have a successful sleep divorce. “Having separate bedrooms gives each partner the opportunity to set their bedrooms to their exact specifications for mattresses, lighting, temperature, etc. This is a big factor in getting a good night’s sleep,” he says. say.
If that’s not possible, Winter recommends placing the sofa as close to the bed as possible and using your own pillows or wearing your partner’s T-shirt or pajamas. “Familiar smells help make the sofa look like a bed,” he says. “Our brains most strongly associate smells with memories, so trick your brain into thinking you’re in bed with your partner.”
Winter also recommends sleeping away on certain days if the thought of sleep divorce is daunting. It works because we don’t have to decide every night.It’s kind of fun to have these periods of separation and reunion.”
another tactic? Give it a try on certain occasions. “For example, it might be beneficial to consider sleeping separately the night before a big meeting. This will also help test the waters so you know if this is something you want to do more often. ‘ says Winter.
In conclusion, Winter said:
