How to Cope Up with Different Sleep Routines?
If you are one of those adults who share their bed with their partner then you know what a difficult task it is sharing your personal sleeping space with someone else.
Sharing the same bed with your partner requires a lot of patience and compromises. There are times when you or your partner face problem with the snoring of the other or those restless legs may keep you awake. Sometimes that shifting of your side of the blanket in the middle of the night while you are asleep all warm and cozy, annoying you to the core.
If you think those are the only issue then that’s not all. Imagine what happens when you are a morning person while your partner is a night owl. There may be a case when you find yourself trying to fall asleep while it’s been hours that your partner has slept and your partner is about to wake up in 2-3 hours. Or try to picture yourself staying up alone for hours while your partner dozed off.
Having different sleep patterns is fine if it is for a couple of days but it is not healthy if practiced for a long term. It might affect sleep quality and may also impact your relationship with your partner. Some researches have revealed that partners with different sleep routines face more conflicts than the ones whose sleep schedules are synced.
Changing your chronotype completely is a difficult job but you may alter your sleeping pattern by an hour or two. Here are some more things that may help you deal with the different sleep schedules:
• Try shifting your sleep time:
Now here by shifting your time means by 1 or 2 hours not more than that. If you have a huge time difference; for say your partner sleeps at 11 PM and on the other hand you prefer sleeping at 3 PM. Then this may not be favorable. In case there is not much different then you may try sleeping a little earlier or your partner may try sleeping a little later. It would help you to meet in the middle and sync your bedtime accordingly.
• Customizing as per needs:
If you like staying up late for reading purpose or using your laptop for work purpose then you may choose a corner of the room that exposes you to proper light but in turn, does not bother your partner’s sleep. If your partner is an early riser then he/she may layout their clothes near them well in advance to avoid a lot of noise and get ready in the bathroom to avoid disrupting your sleep. It works as a win-win situation for all.
• Sleeping separately:
Many couples with different sleeping schedules consider sleeping in separate rooms. It may sound absurd but it would help you and your partner achieve the sleep required by the body. It also makes you feel fresh and relaxed thus avoiding any quarrel that may arise due to the sleeplessness. The time that you spend together while awake would likely to be happier. Though still you still have to manage some more time for each other too.
• Avoid disturbing your partner:
Whether you are a morning person or a late night person, you must respect your partner’s schedule. So to avoid disturbing them, try using headphones in case you feel like listening to music. Try to make minimum noise while working, reading or walking in the room while the other is asleep. Install nightlights in your room so that you can see things without turning on the lights and dim lights won’t disturb your partner as well.
And if you wake up first or sleep late, try to surprise your partner with a morning coffee or a saved snack from the late night.