Stress, mood changes, and irritability, all can occur when you don’t get enough sleep. This in turn can affect relationships. Continue reading to see how important sleep is to maintaining healthy relationships.
We have all had days where we didn’t get enough sleep and that resulted in some irritability toward others. While we know that it wasn’t meant to be hurtful, others may not. Consistent treatment of this can lead to damage to a relationship; romantic or not.
Why do I get moody when I don’t get enough sleep?
An entire day takes a lot out of us. Busy schedules, work, and obligations can lead to a long day. After this sort of day, the body needs rest to restore and prepare for the next day. If this said rest is not received, mood and attitude can suffer.
When we don’t get enough sleep problems of increased levels of stress, anxiety, and moodiness occurs which makes for a rough day.
Stress from lack of sleep added to a full day of stress makes for a very difficult situation. Our brains aren’t able to regulate emotions as well when enough sleep isn’t had. This makes controlling those negative feelings much harder.
Not to mention sleep helps our cognitive abilities so when we don’t get enough concentration and remembering details becomes more difficult as well.
How can this affect my relationships?
Acting out towards anyone is never appreciated. This is especially so for those we may be romantically involved with. Some of the ways relationships can be affected by lack of sleep include:
- Less effective communication: When tired, it can be hard to consider how you are speaking to your partner. Chances of misinterpreting, which can lead to becoming dismissive or defensive can lead to arguments that don’t need to happen.
- Increased irritability and conflict: Due to the difficulty that can come with managing emotions, irritability, and conflict can occur easily.
- Reduced intimacy: Libido and sexual functions can be affected by lack of sleep as well. Not to mention if exhausted you may not feel the need to touch or give affection to your partner.
- Less quality time: When tired it is much more difficult to engage in activities. After a while, this can lead to a decrease in quality time spent together which can seriously affect the stability of a relationship.
While this is all possible, there are ways to try to fix a sleep schedule, thus fixing problems that can occur in a relationship. These include:
- Establishing a consistent sleep schedule
- Creating a relaxing sleep environment
- Communicating with your partner about your sleep needs
- Avoiding electronics before bed
- Practicing good sleep hygiene
Establishing a consistent sleep schedule
Creating a consistent sleep schedule will help to signal to the brain and body that it is time to go to bed. So for example, if you make it a pattern to wake up at 8 a.m. each morning and go to bed by 10 p.m. each night, your body will naturally start to fall asleep around 10 p.m.
Make sure to let your partner know that they must try to not disturb this time. If possible, see if you can do it together.
If you are just starting a new schedule and need help falling asleep, consider a sleep supplement like Relaxium Sleep. Relaxium Sleep is designed to help the body fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed and alert.
Creating a relaxing sleep environment
This can be a really fun tip. Consider purchasing or revamping your and your partner’s sleeping environments for better sleep.
Maybe this means buying a new comfy comforter or adding some new pillows to the bed. Blackout curtains or even a sound machine if necessary. Make your shared space a place where you can both get the appropriate amount of sleep you need.
This may help to bring the two of you even closer because you can consider both of your needs when truly making your sleep environment a place for rest.
Communicating with your partner about your sleep needs
Getting the amount of sleep you both need is crucial. Sometimes this means you need to be open and honest about preferences you may have when it comes to sleep. This can be a great way to create some open communication.
Making compromises shows promise when it comes to a healthy, long-lasting relationship.
Avoiding electronics before bed
Not only are electronics not good for sleep, they really aren’t great for relationships as far as providing that needed attention. Far too often couples will become engulfed with their technology, ignoring their partner. It has become such a common problem that there is now a term; Phubbing.
Electronics before bed prohibit the natural sleep-wake cycle. This is because of the blue light emitted. Technology should not be used for about 30 minutes to an hour before bed. Take this time and spend it with your partner; no doubt this will make them feel loved and wanted. Ignore the other distractions that aren’t great for sleep anyway.
Practicing good sleep hygiene
This is something that you and your partner can do together. If you are seeking better sleep, avoid consuming sugar, caffeine, and alcohol before bed.
This is because all of those cause disturbances to the sleep schedule. Replace these with something more relaxing like taking a warm bath, doing light exercise, or even reading a book. Again this is something you can do with your partner.
Avoid unnecessary arguments with the one you love by getting enough sleep
Improving your sleep schedule will help to make efforts to better your relationship. With a full night’s rest and a clear head, everything is easier.
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To restful and healthy days ahead.
The Relaxium Team
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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