Ever wondered why you sleep better next to your partner? We’ve got the answer

According to Dr Kedar Tilwe, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital Mulund and Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi, "a healthy romantic relationship is a good prognostic factor for your mental health and hygiene."

By: Lifestyle Desk

New Delhi | May 31, 2023 08:50 PM IST

4 min read

We will naturally sleep better in a secure and soothing environment, as a result, the presence of your partner should make you sleep better. (Pic source: Freepik)

Have you ever noticed that you tend to fall asleep faster when you are next to your partner? Well, turns out, there is science behind it. Uncovering the details of why we are able to get a better night’s sleep next to a loving partner, Rubio Fuerte, a nutritionist, took to Instagram and shared, “Research supports the idea that spending quality time with your long-term partner can have a soothing effect on your mind and body. When you’re in the presence of your beloved, the release of oxytocin and serotonin, known as the ‘feel-good’ chemicals, kicks in, triggering a state of relaxation and contentment”.

He added that numerous studies have revealed the power of these chemicals in fostering emotional bonds and reducing stress. “In addition, oxytocin, often called the ‘love hormone,’ is associated with social bonding and trust,” he continued.

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But, since we had many doubts about the same, we reached out to Dr Kedar Tilwe, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital Mulund and Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi to understand more about it. Find out what he had to say.

“Sleep is an active physiological process that helps realign certain bodily processes and has a rejuvenating effect. We will naturally sleep better in a secure and soothing environment. As such, the presence of your partner should make you sleep better,” Dr Tilwe said, adding that a “loving relationship can lead to a better sleep cycle.”

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Dr Tilwe further explained that this is owing to the fact that we are relaxed and secure next to our partner, which also leads to release of oxytocin or the love hormone. “The secure feeling and trust you have with your partner is essential in generating the right environment to do so. Feeling calm, cared for, and secure with the person next to you also allows you to relax and reduce hypervigilance; this ensures a better regulation of your serotonergic, dopaminergic and adrenergic receptor systems which would result in better sleep,” he told indianexpress.com.

The secure feeling and trust you have with your partner is essential in generating the right environment for a good night sleep. (Pic source: Freepik)

Health benefits of having a loving and a trusting relationship

But, you don’t just get better sleep, a loving and trusting partnership has various other health benefits — both, physical and mental. According to Dr Tilwe a healthy romantic relationship is a good prognostic factor for your mental health and hygiene.

“It allows you to have a steady support system that makes you cope better with any situation. It is also associated with better health as you are much more likely to motivate each other to keep fit and healthy. This is beneficial when dealing with most lifestyle diseases,” he shared.

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