4 Tips To Sleeping With Your Partner & Actually Getting Rest

While quality sleep is essential for good physical and mental health, trying to share a bed with your significant other can easily leave you feeling exhausted and on edge. From snoring and sleep schedules to fighting over blankets and smartphones, a few helpful tips may be all you need in order to better deal with the problems, issues and conflicts that could be keeping you from a good night’s sleep.

Dealing With Snoring

A snoring partner is one of the most common obstacles to restful sleep. While snoring is often no more than a minor problem it may also be a sign of sleep apnea, a medical condition that may lead to other issues, such as daytime lethargy, headaches and even more serious conditions like a weakened immune system or increased risk of heart disease. While sleep apnea may require medical care, dealing with minor or occasional snoring may involve little more than changing sleep positions. Identifying and addressing the root cause of the problem helps to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy better quality sleep.

Different Schedules & Sleep Habits

Trying to share a bed with someone who keeps different hours can be maddening, especially for light sleepers who are easily disturbed. From work schedules to simple preference, there are any number of reasons why couples may not share the same sleep schedule. Regardless of the cause, there are still a number of ways to address the situation. Establishing a nightly routine, identifying the times when a spouse is more likely to be experiencing deeper sleep or even investing in an adjustable bed can all make juggling different sleep schedules a far easier undertaking.

Temperature, Blankets, & Mattress Preferences

Fighting over the covers is another issue that commonly leads to problems. Adding some extra blankets to the bed is often the best way to solve the tug-of-war and will allow both parties to maintain their ideal temperature and comfort with greater ease. While settling the issue of how firm the mattress should be may be a bit more difficult, the addition of a mattress-topper, adjustable beds that feature a two-sided design or models that allow for the firmness to be adjusted manually can still provide a very effective solution.

Managing Lighting & Sound Levels

Even a low-power lamp or reading light can be disturbing while the light and sound from a television or smartphone can rouse even the deepest of sleepers. While some people have trouble falling asleep without first checking their email or spending some time with a good book, the impact that such activities may have on their spouse is often profound. Setting rules regarding acceptable light levels and media habits is often more than sufficient although earplugs and night masks may also be helpful. Even a vibrating alarm can be beneficial, especially when getting up early is known to cause problems.

While there are plenty of resources that can make sharing a bed that much easier, every couple has different needs. A little trial-and-error may be needed in order to develop a system or routine that works. Breaking in a new mattress or setting new rules regarding light and sound levels often takes a little time and couples would do well to take a long-term approach when it comes to dealing with any problems that may keeping them from actually getting rest.

Photo by juan garcia