5 Things You Can Do to Help Your Partner Sleep
Insomnia (the inability to go to sleep or stay asleep) is a serious problem for millions of adults. Surprisingly, it's a major problem for the insomniac's partner as well: A recent study revealed that partners of insomniacs are just as affected by the disorder as insomniacs themselves. What exactly can you do to get an insomniac to sleep?
Choose the Right Bed
Buy the best bed that you can afford - a bed should provide comfort and support. Take your time as a couple to find the perfect bed; because the average bed's life is approximately eight years, it will be a piece of furniture that you will spend a lot of time using.
Choose the Right Bedding
If you're skimping on mattress pads, sheets and blankets, you could be needlessly hampering both yours and your partner's healthy sleep patterns. We spend 1/3 of our lives in bed, yet we give more thought to other decisions that won't have as much impact on us in the long run. Cool-jams™ has a great selection cooling sheets, blankets and mattress pads that will help your partner (and you!) deal with insomnia.
Maintain Good Sleep Habits
Encourage your partner to only use the bed for sleep. Use another room to watch movies, pay bills, answer emails or work. Additionally, smartphones may have an adverse effect on our circadian rhythm. Go old school - keep the smartphones out of the bedroom and invest in a traditional alarm clock.
Psychologically Tidy Up Your Room
It is psychologically advantageous for you to pick up those dirty socks before you go to bed. Scent is also a powerful thing: Consider using an essential oils diffuser in the bedroom with a soothing scent, like lavender.
Encourage Healthy Habits
Get moving as a couple! Exercise (earlier in the day, of course) can do wonders for insomnia. Encourage your partner not to drink caffeine after 2 p.m. and to avoid screens a couple hours before bedtime.
Having an insomniac as a partner can be challenging. There are ways to deal with insomnia's difficulties. As always, it is important to support and to remain optimistic in your partner's sleep issues. A good attitude goes a long way.