Do you share a bed with someone you love? The good news is that sleeping next to a person you love can definitely be very beneficial. For example, a recent study on the significance of sleeping next to your partner suggests that sleeping with a partner may promote feelings of safety and security leading to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lower levels in cytokines that can cause inflammation, and higher levels of the so-called love hormone, oxytocin, which has been shown to ease anxiety and is produced in the same part of the brain responsible for the sleep-wake cycle.
I know what you're thinking - this is all very well and good, but what if you share a bed with a partner who snores louder than a thunderstorm? Or sleep talks? Hogs the sheets? The list could be endless, and possibly outweighs the long lists of positives in regards to snoozing next to a loved one. If you're looking to reap the benefits of sleeping with your partner (while maintaining a regular sleep cycle and possibly your sanity), you might want to try some of our tips for these common annoyances.
Blanket Hogging
Ever woken up on a cold night without your sheets and seen your cozy, warm, partner cocooned in all the blankets? There's a very simple solution to this problem: Try different blankets! If one of you constantly pulls the covers, it can lead to a restless, sleepless night. Each of you simply sleeping with your own blanket will make all the difference.
Different Schedules
If you like to sleep till noon and your partner is an early riser, you'll probably find yourself getting increasingly frustrated with your conflicting schedules. A good solution to this is a good mattress with little to no movement transfer - a foam mattress, in this case, is the perfect option.
Snoring & Sleep Apnea
In some cases, a gentle roll to the side can do the trick. However, for anything more heavy duty, definitely see a doctor. Sleep Apnea is a condition that can (and should!) be treated by a medical professional, and should be treated seriously.
Tossing and Turning
If you or your partner are having trouble achieving a deep sleep, try meditating or this yoga sequence together before bed time, banning all electronics from the bed room, or implementing sleep rituals, like using a diffuser and essential oils or taking a bath together before bed.
If all else fails, don't rule out the option of sleeping separately when you can't cope. While it may be be strange waking up without your partner next to you - it's certainly nicer than both of you being tired, drained and cranky for the entirety of the next day. Sometimes sharing different beds in the same room can even do the trick - if it's good enough for the Queen, it's good enough for us!
