June 8th 2024.
Many of us can relate to being kept awake by a snoring partner, but have we ever stopped to think about our own sleep-related habits? A recent study has revealed the top five behaviors that can disrupt sleep, and it turns out that we may be guilty of some of them ourselves.
Topping the list is snoring, with a staggering 60% of people admitting it as their biggest pet peeve. However, it's estimated that around 41.5% of the UK adult population snores, which means there are likely many snorers among those who find it annoying.
But snoring isn't the only culprit. Fidgeting, sleepwalking, sleep talking, and dribbling also make the list of behaviors that can irritate our bed partners. The survey, conducted by Get Laid Beds in collaboration with sleep expert Charli Davies, founder of Snuzzze, delves into these bedtime habits and their impact on our nightly rest.
"It doesn't surprise me that snoring tops the list," says Charli. "It's the bane of millions of people's lives and often disrupts sleep." So if you want to avoid being kicked out of bed by your long-suffering sleep partner, it's worth taking her advice.
So why do we snore? Charli explains that many lifestyle factors, such as diet and alcohol consumption, can contribute to snoring. According to the NHS, being overweight, smoking, and sleeping on your back can also increase the likelihood of snoring. In some cases, snoring may be a symptom of a condition like sleep apnoea, where the airways become temporarily blocked during sleep.
To reduce snoring, making lifestyle changes is the first step. This includes maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding alcohol before bed, which can relax the throat muscles and lead to snoring. Charli also suggests a simple trick to help with snoring: sleeping on your side instead of your back. "I think most of us achieve this with a dig to the ribs or pushing the person we're sharing a bed with," she adds. "But if you want to avoid this and reduce waking your bed partner, putting a pillow behind your back can stop you rolling onto it in the night."
Overall sleep hygiene is also important. Sleep expert Narwan Amini suggests following a consistent bedtime schedule, avoiding screens before bed, and eating light, healthy dinners before bed to prevent exhaustion and loud snoring.
However, if these lifestyle changes don't improve the situation, it may be necessary to seek outside help. "If these behaviors are affecting your sleep quality, your relationships, or your daily functioning, it's important to consult a sleep professional or your GP," says Charli.
So next time we find ourselves irritated by someone else's sleep habits, let's remember that we may be guilty of the same things. It's important to address these behaviors for the sake of our own sleep and the well-being of our bed partners. Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing us at [email].
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