I have always been clear that the main reason I sleep separately from my husband (and he from me) is that I simply CANNOT function when I don’t have enough sleep (nor he).
I have a fuzzy head.
I am unproductive.
I’m not pleasant company.
This fact alone has always been the singular driving force behind decisions I make about where and for how long I sleep. However, as I researched when writing my book, and subsequently continued to read widely about sleep – I can say that I feel grateful (and just a smidgen smug) about the sleep-related decisions I have made over the years.
I feel especially grateful for the decision to prioritise sleep by choosing a separate bedroom rather than compromise my sleep by sleeping with my husband. And the reason for the gratefulness is that the health risks I may just be avoiding.
MUCH is written about the health consequences of sleep deprivation. This deprivation can be caused by many reasons – insomnia, illness, depression, life consequences, tending to young children.
Sleep deprivation can also come from sharing your bed with a partner who consistently disturbs and disrupts your sleep.
Two recent articles are worthy of note. While neither specifically talk about sleep disturbance by a partner, they both speak of recent research into the long-term effects of sleep deprivation.
It doesn’t matter how the deprivation occurs folks. If you are kept awake by a snoring or restless or environmentally disparate partner – you WILL suffer sleep deprivation.
After perusing these articles, I have a question for you.
My question is ‘what is the real cost to your health if you are not having a good night’s sleep?’
PS ‘Is it worth it?’