Does sharing a bed affect the quality of sleep you get at night? Many people sharing a bed, especially couples can get frustrated with the challenges that come with sharing a bed. As you share a bed, you need to know when to compromise from the sleeping styles to many other things.
Since sleeping is important and you will spend most of your time sleeping with your partner, you need to discuss it. Plus, sleeping should be something you look forward to and not dread. Below are some of the issues that affect the way couples sleep together and some tips on how best to share a bed.
- Different temperature preferences
Everyone has a favorite sleep condition. This includes the temperature of the room, the number of pillows and blankets, firmness of the Sealy mattress, among others things. So, as you share a bed with someone, you need to consider these on a compromise by compromise basis. The ideal temperature for a sleeping environment should be 60-67 degrees.
But, if you have different temperature preferences with your partner, you can compensate for this by having separate bedding or wearing cooler or warmer pajamas. Therefore, if you feel you should be warmer, choose extra-warm PJs and blankets to compromise for your partner who wants to be cooler.
Optionally, you can opt to buy fabrics that have special fabrics that wick moisture to keep you cooler. In terms of firmness, consider buying a mattress that has a dual comfort setting to cater to your sleeping preferences. Communication with your partner will help you know how to adjust the temperatures best.
- Snoring
If you share a bed with a snoring partner it can be frustrating and affect the quality of sleep that you get. If any one of you snores, rule out that the cause is a medical problem by visiting a doctor. Snoring can be a symptom of a big problem like allergies or obstructive sleep apnea. It affects sleep quality for both the snorer and the partner.
As a result, it leaves them with headaches, daytime sleepiness, and other consequences of sleep deprivation. Also, a snorer can try out over-the-counter solutions to help reduce it. Today, there are many devices that they can use to help reduce snoring.
Such as mouth guards, sleep positioners, and breathing strips to ensure the nasal passages stay open. Also using a saline nasal spray and humidifier can be helpful, elevating the head and side sleeping as well. If you are a non-snorer, try going to bed earlier to be asleep by the time the snoring starts. Using white noise and earplugs can also be helpful to them.
- Opposing sleep cycles
Everyone has a body rhythm that controls their internal sleep clock. And there’s so much control you have of being an early riser or night owl. Also, each partner should be able to follow their sleep schedule and live according to their Chronotype. Therefore, as you share a bed with your partner, you should consider each other’s sleep cycles. Unfortunately, the Chronotype changes as you grow older for the night owls. Since as you age, your peak becomes during morning hours.
However, do not try changing it on your own as it may cause some issues. If you try to go to bed early, as a night owl, you may suffer insomnia. This is because you are putting your body under pressure to sleep and this triggers frustration and anxiety. Importantly, follow your internal cues as much as you have different sleep cycles to get enough sleep.
- Blanket hogging
This is a common sleep problem among people who share a bed. As you go to bed, you share everything equally, but as you awake one is shivering in a corner and another one curled in the whole blanket. The solution to this is simple. Invest in a bigger bed and use separate blankets. As an example, try using two twin comforters instead of one large comforter to ensure everyone has their sleeping covers. This also comes in handy when you have different sleep temperatures and you can choose covers depending on the thickness you need.