"Have you ever spent all day eagerly waiting to see your partner, looking forward to all the fun things you'll do together, only for them to fall asleep the moment you both settle onto the couch? While this might be one of the most universal experiences in a relationship, it's also one of the most puzzling. Some individuals might not think much of it; they assume that their partner is just exhausted from a long day and desperately in need of the rest."
"One might start to question whether their partner is really as excited about spending time together as they are-or, worse, whether they've bored them right to sleep. But, surprisingly, 2022 research published in Sleep Science hints that none of these explanations truly cover it. Rather, the study suggests that your or your partner's drowsiness may actually be a hidden sign of your love for each other."
Nearly 800 adults in a range of romantic and sexual relationships were surveyed for relationship satisfaction, sleep latency, and sleep quality. Participants in steadier, emotionally satisfying relationships fell asleep more easily and obtained higher-quality sleep. Two biological factors affecting sleep latency and quality are cortisol and oxytocin, with reduced cortisol and increased oxytocin signaling safety and promoting sleep. A partner who falls asleep in close proximity can interpret the partner's presence as an unmistakable signal of safety and security, which facilitates faster sleep onset. Frequent nodding off during shared downtime may reflect emotional closeness rather than boredom. These findings link attachment, physiological regulation, and sleep behavior in romantic contexts.
Read at Psychology Today
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