If you’re wondering why couples sleep in the same bed, it could be a cultural thing. This custom has its roots in lower-class societies, where mattresses were costly. Nowadays, mattresses are affordable, and you can find models under a thousand dollars. Even if you don’t have a spare bedroom, bedsharing can be beneficial for you and your partner. Many people have an instinctive fear of the dark, and bedmates can help you and your partner feel more secure at night.

Benefits

Couples who sleep in the same bed enjoy a greater sense of intimacy. This helps to ease stress, improve mental health and reduce blood pressure. It can also lead to mind-blowing sex. When a couple sleeps next to each other, they release healthy hormones like oxytocin, which make them look younger and less stressed. It can even increase self-esteem.

Sleeping together increases the level of REM sleep in both partners. This is the stage when dreams occur and the brain replenishes itself. Sleeping next to a partner increases REM sleep by about 10%. Furthermore, couples who sleep together experience fewer interruptions during the night than those who sleep alone. Researchers believe that this is due to a physiological process known as interpersonal synchronization, which is also associated with positive affect and prosocial behavior.

Couples who are not getting enough sleep should reconsider sharing a bed. While the psychological benefits of sleeping next to a partner are well worth the cost, it may not be the best option for everyone. Some people find closeness comforting and protective. For others, however, it can disrupt sleep.

For some couples, sleeping separately creates a space to cultivate intimate sexuality while minimizing the pressure on each other. Sleeping separately can be a good thing if both partners have different sleeping schedules. Moreover, couples who want to avoid snoring problems may also benefit from sleeping separately.

Couples who sleep together report better emotional health. This is due to increased levels of the “love” hormone oxytocin, which lowers blood pressure and helps people feel happier. It also helps improve immunity and prolongs the lifespan. It can also strengthen the bond between a couple.

If one partner has a chronic illness, sleeping separately may be best for both partners. In this case, one partner may want to stay in bed, while the other may have to rest on the couch or in a guest room. This arrangement may work with an adjustable bed. An adjustable bed will allow both partners to adjust the firmness of the bed separately. Alternatively, a partner may decide to sleep in separate rooms permanently.

Couples who have a healthy relationship usually enjoy better sleep than those who don’t. This helps both parties feel rested after a hard day’s work and improves their overall quality of life.

Costs

Sleeping together has many benefits for both the health and relationship of two people. Couples who sleep in the same bed can enjoy the benefits of intimacy and togetherness without having to spend money on a separate bed. Even busy couples can benefit from sleeping together. Couples who have kids and a busy schedule may not have time for a private bed.

In the past, couples often slept in separate beds. This practice was common among lower-class couples because of the high cost of mattresses. These days, couples can easily purchase mattresses for under $1,000. Having a bedmate reduces the anxiety during the dark hours and can help you relax at the end of the day.

Couples who snore may have to decide whether or not to sleep separately. However, the psychological benefits may not outweigh the costs of sleeping alone. The objective costs may include more noise, more movement, and the occasional time you will be awakened. This can lead to a bad night’s sleep.

Another study found that couples who slept together slept for an increased amount of time. They also had more deep sleep. This could be because they were closer. Another benefit is the psychological benefits of closeness. The closeness can make you feel warm and protected. This can be important for some people, and this can contribute to a good night’s sleep.

Sleeping together can have other benefits for people suffering from sleep disorders. Having someone nearby can help you monitor the symptoms of sleep apnea and take action when necessary. The results of this study were published in 2009 by Wendy Troxel, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh.

Changing your body’s natural sleep cycle

Researchers have discovered that couples who sleep in the same bed spend more time moving through different stages of sleep than those who sleep separately. Couples who sleep apart spend only 36.6 percent of their time moving through different stages, while those who sleep together spend 46.9 percent of the night moving through the same stages.

Our bodies have a natural sleep cycle that is determined by our internal clock, or circadian rhythm. The clock is located in our brain, in a region called the hypothalamus. It sits above the nerves coming out of the back of our eyes. Our bodies naturally respond to light and darkness, and disrupting this cycle can interfere with our sleep and wake cycles.

Changing your body’s natural sleep cycle is possible, but it can be difficult to know whether or not your sleeping pattern is natural. In the early 1990s, Thomas Wehr conducted a study in which he left subjects in darkness for 14 hours a day for a month. Over time, the subjects adapted to this sleeping cycle and eventually settled into a stable pattern.

Syncing up your sleep schedule

When couples share a bed, it can be a challenge to get on the same schedule each night. A partner may have a different sleep schedule than you, but you can still work together to meet halfway. You can try shifting your bedtimes by as little as 10 minutes per week. Once you get on the same schedule, you can enjoy more intimacy and less conflict. However, you must be aware of the consequences of not resetting your sleep schedule.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburg studied 46 couples and their sleep-wake cycles. They also asked them to complete a relationship assessment. Ultimately, they found that couples were in sync with each other seventy-five percent of the time. Additionally, the researchers found that the synchrony of sleep-wake cycles was much higher among couples with higher marital satisfaction.

If you and your partner can’t get on the same schedule, discuss your sleeping habits before bed. It’s important to discuss these matters before an argument can arise. The more time you spend together discussing these matters, the more positive your relationship will remain. The same goes for waking up in the morning.

Couples who struggle to get on the same schedule often switch rooms or sleep in separate bedrooms. While this may be a good option for some couples, it is important to find the right balance. In the end, couples must try experimenting and see which one is more comfortable for them.