The Australian Health Foundation’s  research found 45% of adults snore occasionally, shedding light on the magnitude of this issue.

Snoring in your relationship

We have all been there, desperately tired and anxious to sleep … stuck wide awake because the person beside us is SNORING. The Sleep Health Foundation conducted a survey finding that 24% of men and 17% of women reporting loud snoring, so the odds that either you or your partner snore, are pretty high. When we are in the honeymoon phase of a relationship, a little quirk like snoring doesn’t seem so bad! But what about a few years down the track, with the accumulation of night after night of terrible sleep for one person in the relationship? One partner feels frustrated that they are unable to get to sleep or are constantly interrupted by the noise of the snoring. While the other feels frustrated that they are being woken by their partner for snoring and being blamed for something they have no control over.

Negative impacts of snoring

Snoring negatively impacts the sleep of the snorer and the person they share a bed with. While the obvious negative impacts are sleep deprivation, frustrated partners, and fatigue for both members of the relationship, the less obvious negative impacts include:

• Relationship instability with snoring said to be the third leading cause of divorce 
• Moodiness and irritability as a result of sleep deprivation
• Reduced sex life due to wedge made by snoring
• Increased risk of making mistakes due to sleep deprivation
• Increased risk of stroke or heart disease if suffering from sleep apnoea

Decrease in intimacy

“Pillow talk” is recognised as an important part of many couple’s relationships, spending the time before sleep planning, catching up on the day and reconnecting. However, The National Sleep Foundation found that 25% of couples choose to sleep separately as a result of snoring. Snoring can also impact upon couple’s sex lives, as one or the other is too exhausted or in a separate room. This interrupted intimacy can impact on the harmony of any relationship.

Come together, instead of apart

It is easy to see how snoring can place a wedge between couples, as you both get disrupted sleep in the endless cycle of snoring – being woken up –  snoring – being woken up, and the ensuing sleep deprivation can cause fuses to run short and resentment to build. So if your partner is snoring, try to remember that they are not intentionally disturbing your sleep. Work together as a team to find solutions for overcoming this issue together, so it doesn’t drive you apart! Trial and error can be extremely helpful in finding a permanent solution that works for you specifically. Most importantly, prioritise patience and teamwork to promote harmony within your relationship. Some easy fixes include:

• Reducing alcohol intake before bed
• Losing excess weight
• Treating nasal congestion and allergies
• Avoiding sleeping on your back
• Avoiding sleeping tablets

More serious solutions can include seeing a sleep specialist, being tested for sleep apnoea and the use of snore prevention devices such as a Mandibular Advancement Splint (more about MAS and its benefits here). Sources Snorex has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. 1. Australian Sleep Health Foundation, Available at:

https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/

2. Better Health Victoria. Victoria State Government, Available at:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/snoring

3. Hoffstein, V. 1996. “Snoring.” Chest. Gale Academic Onefile. Available at:

https://go.galegroup.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA17810881&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=00123692&p=AONE&sw=w

4. Medicine Net, Snoring Causes, Aids, Remedies, Solutions. Available at;

https://www.medicinenet.com/snoring/article.htm

5. National Sleep Foundation, 2005. Available at:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/2005_summary_of_findings.pdf#page=31

6. Sleep Health Foundation Survey. Available at:

https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/pdfs/surveys/SleepHealthFoundation-Survey.pdf

7. WebMD, The Basics of Snoring. Available at:

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/snoring