How Sleep Affects Relationships

Ever wondered how sleep affects relationships? Here at Texas Mattress Makers, it is our mission to educate sleepers on just how important a good night’s rest is for overall quality of life. Unfortunately, the subject of poor sleep and its effect on your interpersonal relationships is often glossed over. Sleep affects your mood and your decision-making, inadvertently affecting how you’re able to show up in your relationships.

The experts at Texas Mattress Makers are here to explain how your quality of sleep can impact your relationships — for better or for worse.

What sleep does to your brain

As you sleep, certain parts of the brain are actively doing their chores: removing toxins, processing your emotions, and storing memories from the day. Your brain never “shuts down” during slumber, in fact, it’s quite active. These chores allow the brain to tell the rest of your body to recharge so that you can be active and awake the following day.

This is why sleep deprivation is so dangerous. On a basic level, depriving your brain of its nightly cleansing routine takes away its ability to function properly. You won’t be able to think clearly or creatively after a night of no sleep. Quality sleep is linked to your body’s ability to perform duties — without it, your brain becomes exhausted and you can’t give your full attention to anything or anyone. 

How sleep deprivation can affect your relationship

Experiencing sleep deprivation puts a damper on everything. For example, your mood will sour, you’ll become irritable and sluggish, and your stress levels will increase. If this already sounds bad enough, imagine how these behaviors can affect your partner. 

Lack of sleep, which causes problems with your memory and emotions, can cause conflict in your relationship. You forget to do the dishes. You overreact to something they say. You don’t feel like spending time with them because you’re tired, or if you do, you aren’t able to be fully present. 

Poor sleep can also make us irritable and less patient with our partners. This can lead to us being less attentive and cause difficulty in communicating effectively which is necessary for healthy relationships.  

Sleep deprivation does not just impact our mental and emotional health, but it can also have an impact on our sex life. Lack of sleep can lead to lower libido and a decrease in sexual arousal which can affect intimacy. The consequences of sleep deprivation can have lasting repercussions on your own health and the health of your relationship.

Continue reading: How does sleep affect mental health?

Does sleep help with relationships?

Absolutely! 

Quality sleep keeps our emotions in line and our thoughts clear. This allows us to have meaningful conversations, perform tasks, and be more attentive to those around us. Basically, if you’re sleeping well, you will be able to be a better, more present person for your partner. Plus, no one wants to be with someone who is cranky and tired all of the time (or wants to be someone who is).

Did you notice that we keep mentioning “quality sleep” instead of just “sleep?” Many people think that simply lying down and closing their eyes will help them get the rest they need to function. This is not true. In order to do all of the beautiful things we mentioned earlier, you need to get quality, healthy sleep — not just sleep. So, how do you do that?

Find Out How You Sleep

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How to get quality sleep for a stronger relationship

1. Practice healthy sleep habits

Quality sleep heavily relies on consistency. Establishing a bedtime routine that works best for both you and your partner can help you develop healthy sleeping habits. Here are some tips to develop these healthy routines:

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule in which you fall asleep and wake up at the same time, even on weekends. 
• Turn your phone off 1-2 hours before bed. This will help you fall asleep easily and gives you the chance to chat with your person before bed, which strengthens your bond.
• Do nightly stretches or meditations together to decrease any stress so you can avoid going to bed angry.

The formula is simple: quality sleep equals a happier, healthier you, which in turn leads to a happier and healthier relationship. 

2. Address your sleep incompatibility

Sleep incompatibility refers to you and your partner not being able to get quality sleep while sleeping in the same bed. Are you an early bird married to a night owl? Does your partner snore loudly? Do they toss and turn all night, keeping you awake? All of these incompatibilities could leave you wanting to sleep in separate beds, which is not always ideal. 

There are many benefits of sleeping next to someone you love, including:

• Lower blood pressure 
• Lower levels of stress
• Easier time falling asleep
• Schedule synching 
• Increased happiness and energy (thanks to your brain’s happy chemicals)
• Strengthened connection

If you and your partner find the right tools and routines to help you both sleep soundly throughout the night, your relationship can strengthen. However, these habits are negligible if you aren’t sleeping on the right mattress. 

3. Find a mattress that suits your and your partner’s needs

If you and your partner are not getting quality sleep, ask yourself, “could it be our mattress?”  Aside from your personal habits, your mattress is the foundation (literally) for a healthy night’s sleep. If you’re sleeping on the wrong mattress, you can develop a multitude of sleep problems that can affect your relationship. 

At Texas Mattress Makers, we believe that every sleeper deserves a mattress that will target their unique needs — even if they share their bed! We are confident that we make the best beds for married couples and the best mattress for co-sleeping because we can help you two to find a bed that satisfies both of your needs. With our custom capabilities and couple-friendly options, you will never have to settle for your partner’s preferences ever again. Everyone is happy and everyone gets the quality sleep they deserve. 

Continue reading: What to look for in a mattress

Poor Sleep Ruining Your Relationship? Texas Mattress Makers to the Rescue!

Now that we’ve discussed how sleep affects relationships, we hope we were able to shed some light on how important quality sleep is to your health and the bond you have with your partner. If you and your partner have been sleeping on a bad mattress, it’s time for an upgrade. 

Skip the vow renewal and come into any of our Texas Mattress Makers showrooms where one of our experts will match you and your partner with your perfect mattress. We are conveniently located all over the Houston area and are ready to help you and your boo get the best night’s sleep possible.

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