Being in a caring, sharing relationship won’t just make you happy during the day – it could also help you sleep better at night.
A study found men and women who felt loved, appreciated and understood by their other half slept more soundly. It is thought they felt so safe and secure they found it easy to switch off and slip into a deep, uninterrupted sleep.
Researcher Emre Selçuk said: ‘Having responsive partners who would be able to protect and comfort us should things go wrong is the most effective way for us humans to reduce anxiety and tension.’
Dr Selçuk, a Turkish psychologist, analysed data provided by almost American 350 couples aged between their mid-30s and mid-80s.
They were quizzed about how well they slept, including whether they woke up in the night, and whether they used sleeping pills.
They also provided information about how much their partner cared for them, how well they understood them and how appreciated they felt.
Those who were in the most ‘responsive’ relationships, defined as feeling understood and cared for, slept best.
Writing in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, Dr Selçuk said: ‘The evidence suggests that our best bet for a happier, healthier and longer life is having a responsive partner.’
Daily Mail
