Sharing Your Bed With Your Partner Results In Better Sleep

It seems that sleeping together on one bed is not just romantic; it also is healthy, according to science. This recent study suggests that couples who share a bed together get better sleep compared to those who sleep on separate beds.

Researchers conducted the study among 12 young, healthy, heterosexual couples who spent four nights in the sleep laboratory. They measured sleep parameters both in the presence and absence of the partner using dual simultaneous polysomnography, which is a “very exact, detailed and comprehensive method to capture sleep on many levels — from brain waves to movements, respiration, muscle tension, movements, heart activity” says Dr. Drews. Additionally, the participants completed questionnaires designed to measure relationship characteristics (e.g., relationship duration, degree of passionate love, relationship depth, etc.)

The results showed that rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep is both increased and less disrupted in couples sleeping together compared to when they slept individually. This finding is particularly relevant because REM sleep, which is associated with vivid dreams, has been linked to emotion regulation, memory consolidation, social interactions and creative problem solving.

The researchers also observed that the couples that shared a bed together could synchronize their sleep patterns, which they believe is associated with relationship depth.

In order words, the higher participants rated the significance of their relationship to their life, the stronger the synchronization with their partner.

More details about this one over at Neuroscience News.

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