Sleep is highly important and beneficial to your health and every aspect of your life and your relationship isn’t left out.
It could be said that in relationships where couples don’t have enough sleep, they are bound to have issues and frictions frequently than those who sleep well.
So, what’s the relationship between sleep and relationship? This might be the question bothering your mind, and I’d share five science backed reasons why a lack of sleep can leave your relationship in ruins.
1. INCREASE IN CONFLICT
A 2014 research has found that lack of sleep can lead to an increase in conflicts between partners. According to the research, people tend to display negative emotions and are worse at handling conflicts when they lack sleep.
When you lack sleep, your body and mind becomes stressed, and this would terribly affect the way you communicate and respond to your partner.
2. LESS VALUE AND APPRECIATION FOR YOUR PARTNER
It’s important to value and appreciate your partner if you want your relationship to be successful. However, research has found that a lack of sleep can make it harder for couples to value and appreciate each other.
The study which was conducted by researchers from the University of California, suggests that sleep deprivation makes it harder for couples to value and appreciate each other. According to Amie Gordon, the lead researcher; “Poor sleep may make us more selfish as we prioritise our own needs over our partner’s.”
3. IT CAN AFFECT SEX
According to Robert Thayer, a professor of Psychology at California State University, a lack of sleep can lead to a situation called “tense tiredness” which is caused by low energy and increased tension, and he explains that it can also lead to sexual dysfunction.
He says: “People who experience tense tiredness are too anxious to relax. Tension and anxiety are very basic to sexual dysfunction most of the time. That increases as energy decreases.”
4. LESS ATTRACTION
Research has found that physical attraction only make relationships better; love and physical attraction go hand in hand. However, Swedish researchers have found that a lack of sleep can reduce your attractiveness, and this wouldn’t augur well for your relationship.
5. LESS HAPPINESS
While a good night sleep would boost your mood, leaving you feeling upbeat and energetic, a lack of it would leave you feeling unhappy even for no reason.
Studies have shown that couples with lesser sleep tend to be less happy in their relationships. The negative emotions that are attributed to a lack of sleep can do a lot of damage to your relationship.
The importance of having adequate sleep cannot be overemphasized. Have you been stressed at work and having more relationship woes? Just try to take a rest, that’s what your relationship might just need.
S.O.Z