A new study suggests that sleep-deprived couples don't take the time to thank each other.
We have more than enough reasons to get a good night's sleep: improved memory, weight loss, less stress, the list goes on and on. But did you know that without catching enough z’s, your love life could also suffer?
That's according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, which suggests that sleep deprivation can make it harder for tired couples to value each other. So if you're feeling less than appreciated by your significant other, it may be because they aren't getting enough sleep.
"Poor sleep may make us more selfish as we prioritize our own needs over our partner's," said Amie Gordon, a UC Berkeley psychologist and lead investigator of the study. "You may have slept like a baby, but if your partner didn't, you'll probably both end up grouchy."
Over 60 couples, ranging in ages, participated in the study. In one experiment, participants kept a diary of their sleep patterns and whether they saw effects of their sleep in how they appreciated their significant other. In another experiment, couples were asked to complete problem-solving tasks together. The results from both of these experiments proved that poor sleepers had a harder time valuing their partners.
We all know that sharing a bed with a significant other sometimes means sleepless nights whether it's his obnoxious snoring or her late night cookie-munching (and you waking up in crumbs). But it's been proven that how the two of you go to bed at night can dictate your relationship during the day.
So what's the big takeaway here for couples? Get some shut-eye and your relationship will get up on the right side of the bed in the morning! And right before you climb into bed, take the time to let your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, whoever, "thank you."
