Benefits of Sleeping Next to Your Partner
Love is in the air this time of year. Hopefully that air is quiet, peaceful and not filled with the wrong kind of noise. Sleeping with someone can seem impossible at times, especially if you or your partner snore. Unfortunately, it’s common for couples who deal with chronic snoring or a sleep disorder to sleep in separate bedrooms. This “Sleep Divorce” can affect relationships in many ways. For example, cuddling provides an evident boost in the emotional well being of both parties. Missing out on a cuddle session is just one example of how sleeping in separate beds can impact relationships.
Few are aware of the extraordinary benefits that come along with sleeping next to your partner. Recent studies show sleeping next to your partner releases stress reducing hormones that can positively impact the overall health of your relationship. Here are some ways sleeping with your loved one reduces stress and improves sleep.
Stress Reduction:
When you sleep with someone you love, stress levels reduce leaving you refreshed for a new day. In a study from the University of Utah, they found an increase in reported sleep issues when couples temporarily separated from their bed partner. According to Better Sleep, “Oxytocin (aka the love hormone) is a chemical compound produced in the brain that prompts feelings of empathy, trust, relaxation and reduced anxiety.” Levels of oxytocin rise when you make physical contact with another person. In turn, those feelings of calmness and security help you fall asleep more easily.
Improve Sleep:
Another great benefit of sleeping next to your partner is improving REM sleep. Rapid Eye Movement or REM sleep is the phase in sleep when you dream, and is linked to emotion regulation. In a recent study highlighted by Sleep Review Magazine, they found that sleeping together was “linked to 10% more REM sleep compared to sleeping apart.” Results showed partners who slept together had an average of 22 minutes of REM sleep compared to 13.4 minutes for those who slept apart. Consider the long-term benefits of extending your REM sleep by nearly 33%.
Considering the stress relief and improvements in REM sleep, sleeping next to your significant other may be just what you and your partner need to have a better night’s rest. Both parties stand (or lye) to benefit from this shared experience of being close.
Don’t let snoring keep you and your partner in separate beds. Use this Valentine’s day as the perfect excuse to diagnose and treat you or your partner’s potential sleep disorder. Reduced stress and better sleep are just one appointment away! Give our office a call at 614-396-8286, email info@SleepTreatmentOH.com, or click here to make an appointment and see if oral appliance therapy is right for you! It’s about time you and your significant other got back into bed with one another… YOU DESERVE IT!
Single this Valentine’s day? No worries! You can still achieve all the benefits of improved REM sleep this Valentine’s day and beyond by simply following good sleep hygiene. Click here to check out our article where we share 5 tips for improving your sleep hygiene.
