Disrupted sleep

It's 3:00am when suddenly you wake up practically hypothermic. Next to you, lies a duvet-cocooned lump, emitting earth-shuddering snores dispersed with random muttering and muscle spasms. It's just another sleep deprived night... The obvious solution is to sleep in the spare room or take refuge on the couch. But why should you be the one forced to relocate in ungodly hours of the morning?

Statistics suggest sleep deprivation caused by partner disturbance is responsible for one in 20 relationships ending. It is also results in poor short term memory, difficulty concentrating, waking up exhausted and a short temper. While His and Her master bedrooms used to be a luxury reserved for the decadently rich and famous, for the sleep deprived they're being touted as a must-have. If you subscribe to the philosophy that a separate bedroom is the first foot in the grave for your relationship, we have some handy suggestions to help save your sanity.

Sleeping with duvet hogs
If your partner ends up yanking your share of the duvet, the simple solution is to get your own duvet. This is a common practice in Europe and you'll find a lot of hotels with double beds provide two single duvets. It also eliminates the problem of incompatible body temperatures. For example you might feel the cold but your partner overheats. If you don't want separate duvets on the bed, you could also try going up a size so you have additional length and width - if you have a queen sized bed, a king sized duvet could solve your problem.

Sleeping with restless legs
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is the irresistible urge to constantly move the legs to get rid of the creeping, crawling, tingly feeling. It's frustrating enough for the person who has it, but if you have to sleep next to them you'll want it sorted asap! Low iron levels, certain medications, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol may aggravate symptoms. A diet with fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains can offer relief to sufferers, while Magnesium is also believed to beneficial. Also invest in a top quality bed / mattress designed to reduce partner disturbance.

Sleeping with snoring
There are thousands of suggested cures from ear plugs to attaching a tennis ball to a PJ top to stop the snorer rolling on to their back. Nasal strips, snoring pillows, humidifiers, sleeping on the side, elevating the head, restricting alcohol, medication are simple solutions which may help. If none of these help your partner, make an appointment with your local GP as the snoring can be related to Sleep Apnoea, which can be fatal.

Sleeping with a talker
Whether it's random muttering or long winded conversations about unicorns in knee high boots, unless you stuff a pillow over your partner's face there's not much can be done. Experts suggest sleep talking is caused in times of high stress or poor health. Recommend investing in quality high decimal ear plugs to help drown out the frequency of the chatter.

Sleeping with a walker
You will rest easier if you know the house is sleepwalker-proof. Lock windows, place an alarm on the bedroom door, remove dangerous objects, hide the car keys and most importantly make sure the bedroom is on the ground floor. Hypnotherapy has been found to be useful and if episodes start happening frequently, insist your partner seek medical advice.

With a little common sense you'll be enjoying a better night's sleep without being banished from the bedroom. Sweet dreams.

Article by Leigh-Anne Wadley

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