Is Snoring Hurting Your Relationship?

It is estimated that 30-35% of Americans are habitual snorers, meaning that they snore at least five nights per week. Snoring is a relatively common affliction, but it is true that this problem can affect even the strongest of relationships.

Sleep deprivation, annoyance and irritation can cause hostility between two people who are bothered by nighttime storing. When you share your bed space with another person, it isn’t only cover-hogging that can cause rifts between partners. When one person snores on a regular basis, the other is forced to deal with the noise, and may become irritated and lose several hours of sleep.

If you snore on a regular basis, or if your partner is the one who does the snoring, take a long look at how this affects your relationship. Do you get angry in the night when you are unable to sleep? Does your partner mention your snoring upon waking in the morning? Are either of you doing anything to help the other deal?

There are several different reasons why one person may snore, and it could be a symptom of a larger problem. Some people snore from childhood into adulthood, while others develop the habit in their twenties or thirties. Since it isn’t an affliction of which you are causing – though a sore throat might be an indication in the morning – it is especially difficult to solve the problem.

If You Snore
If you are the one who snores every night, there are several things you can do to make life easier for your partner. First, try to go to sleep on your back. Most people who snore sleep either on their stomachs or on their sides, which causes a compression in the nasal passages, and promotes snoring. Believe it or not, you can train yourself to sleep on your back.

Next, you can try one of the snoring aids found at the drug store, including the strips that cover your nose. This can help to open the nasal passages sufficiently to allow for easier breathing during the night. You can also avoid consuming alcohol before bed, and obesity is another very common reason for snoring.

If Your Partner Snores
The person who doesn’t snore is arguably the one most affected by this affliction, and it can be highly frustrating to be unable to sleep at night with your partner snoring away right next to you. However, there are ways to offset the irritation of snoring.

First, purchase earplugs. It might be difficult to get used to them at first, but before you know it, you won’t even be able to tell that they’re in. You can also try to go to sleep before your partner, though that won’t help if you awaken in the middle of the night. Having a spare bedroom to which you can retreat when the snoring is at its worst might be one of the only ways you can control the problem.