So you may be single, or you may be new to a relationship, or maybe you’re just someone who snuggles with their friends or roommates. Whatever the case may be, at some point we have all felt the discomforts associated with sharing the bed. Science has proven that sharing the bed with a partner actually provides a range of health benefits including the reduction of stress-related hormones. Sleep is an undoubtedly personal and important aspect of our lives, one in which all of us need and many if not most of us cherish – so let’s make the best of our rest!
Here are 6 common sleep personalities and simple ways to cope with them:
Snorer
If you haven’t experienced trying to fall asleep with a snorer in the room (or even the room next door) consider yourself lucky! This discomforting sleep distraction troubles newer couples the most; you can fall asleep first or sleep in a separate room, this works for longer-term relationships. Otherwise, try to train a person to sleep on their side or stomach, this should help to prevent all the noise. You may have to position pillows so the snorer is on their side can’t flip over.
Bed Hog
We’ve all had those quick lapses while falling asleep where we feel like we’re falling and quickly jolt awake. A feeling that is worse than that is actually falling off the bed because you share the mattress with a starfish! A good nudge will fix that issue. If it is a matter of blanket thievery, having extra bedside essentials within reach will do the trick.
Hot Sleeper
Some prefer to sleep with the heat on and others want to blast the AC. Finding this balance is a must. For an optimal sleeping environment the temperature should be between 60 – 67 degrees fahrenheit. Your body temperature decreases as you transition deeper into your sleep. Consider investing in a well-designed mattress (open cell foam) and breathable bedding to sleep cool.
Restless Sleeper
We lead busy lives and our days often exhaust us. Restless sleepers are hard to share the bed with, and the constant rolling and never settling movement makes you restless as well. Consider limiting the distractions in the bedroom – anything that stimulates our minds around bedtime makes it harder to wind-down and should be avoided. Find your unique way to shut down, relax, and destress before hitting the sack – creating a bedtime routine/ritual is a great first step.
Night Owl
There’s a reason it’s harder for us to fall asleep than our generations past. Artificial light (computers, cellphones, tablets ) and good sleep do not pair well and confuses our eyes and minds. If you are dealing with a night owl, set a lights-out-time and limit the use of electronics after dark.
Snuggler
Whether it’s a pup or a partner, snugglers are not for everyone. Snuggling is proven to be healthy for our overall sense of comfort but there’s a fine line between healthy and clingy. Take turns in various positions until you find what works for both (or all) of you!
What kind of sleeper are you?!
