{"id":25213,"date":"2025-05-15T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T12:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=25213"},"modified":"2025-05-13T09:36:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T13:36:25","slug":"how-rest-can-rekindle-your-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2025\/05\/how-rest-can-rekindle-your-relationship.html","title":{"rendered":"How Rest Can Rekindle Your Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We all know sleep is essential. We need it, we crave it\u2014and yet some nights, it just doesn\u2019t happen. You toss, you turn, and by morning, you feel like you\u2019ve run a marathon in your mind. Worse still, you wake up grumpy, tired, and annoyed\u2026 sometimes at the person lying right next to you.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does she steal all the covers?\u201d
\n\u201cWhy does he snore like a freight train?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard the saying:\u00a0\u201cLaugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Sleep troubles are no joke\u2014and they don\u2019t just affect your mood. They can seriously impact your relationship.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the good news: better sleep can mean a better bond with your partner.<\/p>\n

Sleep Brings You Closer\u2014Literally<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sharing a bed with your partner can offer numerous advantages for both sleep quality and overall mental health. Sleeping with your spouse can create a sense of safety, which may lead to improved sleep quality due to a subconscious feeling of protection. Additionally, better sleep can positively impact immunity, heart health, cognitive function, and reduce symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, sleeping next to your spouse increases physical intimacy by encouraging hugging, cuddling, and sexual intimacy, which can release oxytocin, a hormone that promotes bonding, reduces stress, and enhances sleep. Emotional intimacy can also be deepened through the safe sharing of thoughts and feelings. Sleeping together can foster spiritual intimacy, creating a sense of physiological and spiritual synchronicity.<\/p>\n

Rested = Resilient<\/strong><\/p>\n

Getting at least seven hours of quality sleep helps you better regulate emotions and handle stress. When you\u2019re well-rested, you\u2019re more patient, kind, and less reactive. That means fewer arguments and less tension with your partner. Think of sleep as emotional fuel\u2014when your tank is full, you\u2019re more likely to give and receive love freely.<\/p>\n

Snoring, Sleep Apnea, and the Sound of Divorce?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course, it’s not always easy. Maybe your partner\u2019s snoring wakes you up. Maybe you\u2019re dealing with frequent interruptions during the night. These disruptions lead to cranky mornings and more bickering throughout the day. Over time, poor sleep can reduce your appreciation for your partner and increase resentment.<\/p>\n

If snoring is a major issue, don\u2019t ignore it\u2014it could be a sign of sleep apnea, a serious (but treatable) condition. A CPAP machine or other interventions can help both partners get the rest they need\u2014and maybe even save the marriage in the process.<\/p>\n

Sleep Boosts Memory and Motivation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Poor sleep doesn\u2019t just make you moody\u2014it messes with your memory. That\u2019s right: he may have genuinely forgotten to take out the trash because he didn\u2019t sleep well. Sleep strengthens memory and learning, especially during slow-wave sleep. One tip? Try playing soft \u201cpink noise\u201d (a lower-frequency sound than white noise) to block out disruptions and improve deep sleep.<\/p>\n

Binge-Watching = Relationship Buzzkill<\/strong><\/p>\n

Late-night Netflix binges might seem like a fun way to unwind, but they come at a cost. Research shows that watching TV late into the night leads to shorter sleep and even less interest in your partner. The loss of sleep, combined with screen time, has also been linked to increased symptoms of depression\u2014another factor that can erode emotional intimacy. So, try turning off the screens and turning toward each other instead.<\/p>\n

If your relationship could use a boost, don\u2019t underestimate the power of sleep. It’s not just about feeling well-rested\u2014it’s about being emotionally present, physically connected, and mentally resilient. So tonight, do your part: turn off the TV, snuggle in, and make sleep a shared priority. Your relationship will thank you for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We all know sleep is essential. We need it, we crave it\u2014and yet some nights, it just doesn\u2019t happen. You toss, you turn, and by morning, you feel like you\u2019ve run a marathon in your mind. Worse still, you wake up grumpy, tired, and annoyed\u2026 sometimes at the person lying right next to you. \u201cWhy…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[913],"tags":[2318,362,359,4429,4135,8911,8905,8914,8908,8917],"class_list":["post-25213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-couple-relationships","tag-insomnia","tag-rest","tag-sleep","tag-sleep-and-memory","tag-sleep-and-relationships","tag-sleep-apnea","tag-sleep-difficulties","tag-sleep-quality","tag-sleep-troubles","tag-snoring"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Rest Can Rekindle Your Relationship<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sleep is essential. We need it and yet some nights, it just doesn\u2019t happen. 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Sleep troubles can seriously impact your relationship.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=25213\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Doing Life Together\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/drlindamintle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-15T12:00:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-13T13:36:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/258\/2025\/05\/sleeping-8069136_1280.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda Mintle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@drlindamintle\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Rest Can Rekindle Your Relationship","description":"Sleep is essential. 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Dr. Linda\u2019s fun personality and expertise comes through whether she\u2019s helping her audience stress less or make peace with their thighs! Dr. Linda has her Ph.D. in Urban Health and Clinical Psychology and is a national expert on mental health. She has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, depression and pain management. With 30 years of clinical experience working with couples, families and individuals, she brings her common-sense approach to people who want to live in positive mental health. Dr. Linda is also a bestselling author with 21 book titles to her credit, a radio host of the Dr. Linda Mintle show, professor, national speaker, winner of the Mom\u2019s Choice Award, a national news consultant, featured writer for Beliefnet and hosts her own website. Her academic appointments keep her abreast of current research in her areas of expertise. 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