Why do I sleep better with my partner?

"Why do I sleep better better with someone else on the bed?" If you've ever found yourself asking this question, you're not alone. Many people have observed that they fall asleep so easily with their boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner, and the the observation is valid. 

A new study has discovered a link between sleeping together, better sleep, and mental health. People who sleep with their partner tend to sleep better than those who sleep alone. And, of course, quality sleep is key to mental health.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona.

Sleeping alone vs sleeping with someone

The study results show that people who shared a bed with a partner most nights fell asleep faster and slept longer than people who slept alone. They also had less risk of insomnia and sleep apnea and woke up more energetic each day. But that’s not all; it gets even more interesting.

The research also discovered that people who sleep with their child most nights had greater risks of sleep apnea, experienced more insomnia intensity, and generally slept less. Sharing beds with children is also associated with more stress levels.

In contrast, the study found that sleeping with an adult partner contributes to lower stress and depression and greater social support.

Importance of sleeping together

In essence, sleeping together as adults is more beneficial to mental health than sharing a bed with a child. On the other hand, those who slept alone reported higher stress, depression, lower social support, and lower quality of life and emotional satisfaction. That’s not a very happy life.

Sharing your bed with a partner can be an incredible way to get better sleep, improve your mental health, and live happier.

We weren’t meant to be alone

These findings only reinforce the claim that humans were never created to live in isolation. Indeed, personal connection and intimacy can be critical to mental health. And now, we have discovered how sharing a bed can greatly benefit one’s well-being.

“Sleeping with a romantic partner or spouse shows to have great benefits on sleep health including reduced sleep apnea risk, sleep insomnia severity, and overall improvement in sleep quality,” said lead author Brandon Fuentes.

But what about singles and those whose spouses are away for weeks or months?

Well, the research was not limited to romantic partners. The findings revealed that whether we sleep with a partner, family member, or pet, the impact on mental health is significant.

The study involved over a thousand working-age adults from southeastern Pennsylvania. The researchers evaluated their sleep quality and health factors using the Insomnia Severity Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, among others.

Not many researchers explore this topic. But it’s surprising and exciting to know how beneficial sharing beds could be.

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults.  Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.