Improve your relationship by sleeping right

Realising the link between your sleep and your relationship with your partner may help you better both, say experts

Have you ever wondered if your sleepless nights are due to the tiff you have been having with your partner? Turns out, you could indeed blame your significant other for your mild insomnia. Jokes aside, a recent study by University of Minnesota, USA, has explained how our sleep is affected by relationships. Although the study focussed on past relationships, it is wellestablished through other researches that our bond with loved ones leave a deep impact on our sleep patterns.

So, what are the bedtime rules that may help couples maintain a healthy bond? Well, there is no definite set of sleeping rules. Because what may work with one couple may not work for the other. “While some couples find solace and emotional gratitude in ‘cuddling up’, there are few who are equally happy with their backs turned to each other. Then there are some who are satisfactorily connected even while sleeping in different bedrooms,” says Dr Sonal Anand, psychiatrist. “It all depends on the fluidity of the relationship and the mutual understanding for changing circumstances.”

Dr Kersi Chavda, psychiatrist, explains what each sleep position signifies and they have been shown via illustrations.

FOR A BLISSFUL SLEEP

There are several habits one can adopt to have better sleep patterns. One time-tested method is to try and sync sleep cycles, in whichever cases possible. According to experts, when partners go to sleep and wake up together, it does have a positive impact on their relationship. “When partners are in sync with their sleep cycle, and if both get ready to sleep at the same time, they indirectly get quality time to discuss about their day before sleeping,” says Namrata Dagia, clinical psychologist. “If partners wake up and sleep together, it also leads to a healthy lifestyle as sound sleep reduces stress, promotes mental well-being and also benefits the body physiologically.”

Anand suggests avoiding the use of mobile phones and other gadgets as much as possible at bedtime.

Maintaining decorum helps too. “Not making too much noise and switching on a torch instead of the bright light will reduce disturbing the other’s sleep,” says Dr PD Lakdawala, psychiatrist. He says that if couples decide to talk about their day before going to sleep, they should avoid discussing about incidents that may cause friction as this will affect their mood, and in turn, their sleep.

WHEN PARTNERS GO TO SLEEP AND WAKE UP TOGETHER, IT DOES HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP

AT BEDTIME, YOU SHOULD TRY AND AVOID DISCUSSING INCIDENTS THAT MAY CAUSE FRICTION AS THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR MOOD AND YOU WON’T GET GOOD SLEEP

PHOTO: ISTOCK, ILLUSTRATIONS: SUDHIR SHETTY