Sharing your bed with the person you love is the ultimate act of trust and intimacy. But snoring is causing more and more couples to get a "sleep divorce," or an arrangement to sleep in separate rooms just to avoid the snoring of their partner. Snoring is actually a problem for both the snorer and his/her partner. It can affect the health and well-being of both partners by causing poor sleep patterns, tiredness, and mood swings. Snoring may result in relationship strain in the long run. This article provides information on how snoring affects relationships, and what you need to do about it.
A global sleep research (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5337594/) revealed that 35% of people who live with a regular snorer say that they prefer sleeping separately because of the snoring problem of their partner. Some of these people who can't find a permanent solution to their partner's snoring problem end up leaving the partner. It makes snoring one of the leading causes of divorce across the globe after infidelity and financial problems.
Research shows (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19956/) that over 80% of people who share their beds with a snorer have difficulty entering deep sleep or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep at night. In fact, REM sleep is essential for a good night's rest and to feel energetic the next morning. Sleep-deprived individuals are likely to feel tired, irritated, and become less productive at work. A 2017 study (https://insights.osu.edu/life/cranky-couples-tossing-and-turning) found that couples who don't get a good night of sleep due to a snoring partner are more likely to argue and strain their relationships over time. You should not let snoring come between you and your partner because there are many things to do to stop or reduce the effects of snoring on your partner. Here are some things that a snorer could do to stop snoring:
- Sleep On Your Side - This sleeping position will prevent your tongue from collapsing to the back of your throat and thereby obstructing the airways.
- Prioritise Your Comfort - The bedroom should be conducive to sleep. Make your bedroom dark, clean, distraction-free, and have the right temperature. Replace the beddings with fresh covers regularly.
- Follow A Routine - Getting to bed and waking up at the same time every day will make sure you get a good night's rest and regulate your body clock.
- Avoid Alcohol Before Bed - Alcohol will cause the muscles in your airways to slacken. It will make your snoring worse. Instead, you can try herbal tea like lavender and chamomile to calm the nerves and have a good night's sleep.
Here is what you can do to reduce or stop the effects of your partner's snoring:
Use Soft Earplugs - The removal of noise can be a good way to reduce or stop the effects of your partner's snoring. Wearing a soft and non-invasive earplug can block the sound and let you have a good night's sleep. The Silicone Ear Plugs by Medi Grade will help you block out heavy snoring, loud traffic, and those rude, noisy neighbours.They are soft, reusable, and mouldable for effective insulation against noise, water, and wind. The product is designed to expand gently to stay in place and form an airtight seal.
If you want to know more about what you or your partner can do to stop snoring, ask a health professional. The information in this article is certainly useful, but it's not a substitute for the professional advice that you can get from your doctor.
