Study Shows: Snoozing Together Boosts Both Sleep and Health

We got some great news for all you lovebirds! According to a new study, sharing your bed with a partner does wonder for your sleep quality. Not only that but it also decreases the occurrence of insomnia and fatigue.

Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona in Tucson, stated that the presence of another in bed is extremely beneficial for our shut-eye, regardless of their fidgety movements or sleeping sounds. 

In fact, people who slept with an adult partner slept for longer, had a lower risk of sleep apnea, and even fall asleep faster!

The data was collected from 1,007 working-age adults in Pennsylvania and was of immense help for researchers to understand how sleep works.

For instance, participants reported feeling more satisfied with their lives and relationships when sleeping with a partner. Moreover, they had lower stress levels and fewer bouts of anxiety and depression.

Sounds too good to be true?

Well, there’s a catch. 

In order to reap all of the benefits, one has to sleep with an adult partner. On the other hand, parents who slept alongside their children reported increased levels of stress and exhaustion the following day. 

Indeed, children’s sleep patterns and requirements aren’t compatible with those of their parents. Yet, scientists aren’t sure whether this is the real reason behind their parents’ crankiness the morning after. 

Overall, scientists can only speculate as to why this phenomenon occurs. One hypothesis suggests an evolutionary link. Namely, throughout history, humans always slept together in groups to stay safe from predators and other threats.

Perhaps modern humans still have this subconscious urge buried deep within their reptilian brain? Who knows!