Gaby
Australian and Turkish researchers have identified a new indicator of harmonious relationships between partners. Factors such as trust, mood, closeness, and satisfaction have long been considered the keys to happy relationships. Now, they’ve added a delightful sense of drowsiness that one partner feels in the presence of the other.
The lead author of the study, Madeleine Spicer from Central Queensland University (Australia), reported that people in romantic relationships typically have higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding. According to Spicer, oxytocin can also positively affect sleep quality, helping people fall asleep faster and enjoy more restorative rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
Often referred to as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is primarily produced during sexual activity, especially during orgasm. This hormone can also be released simply by being in the presence of a romantic partner to whom we feel strongly attached, the psychologist noted.
She and her colleagues found that regular relationships, sexual satisfaction, and increased frequency of orgasms are linked to easier falling asleep. Additionally, feeling secure in a relationship can enhance sleep quality.
This point was also emphasized by Emre Selçuk, an adjunct professor of psychology at Sabancı University (Turkey). “We discovered that the degree of responsive sensitivity from a partner—how much they understand, value, and care for you—is an important predictor of sleep quality,” the researcher remarked.
In his view, healthy, caring relationships are significantly associated with lower levels of anxiety in partners. Quality sleep, or what researchers refer to as restorative sleep, requires a relaxed state, Selçuk explained. Anxiety or stress at the end of the day can hinder falling asleep or lead to frequent awakenings. Much of this is linked to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, as reported by Newsweek.
Cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, peaking early in the morning and dropping to a minimum at night. Essentially, it acts like a biochemical cup of coffee: boosting our alertness in the morning and then decreasing throughout the day, helping us rest at night.
However, chronic stress can disrupt these daily cycles, and elevated cortisol levels during the night can negatively impact sleep quality.
According to the professor, those living with a responsive partner demonstrate a healthier daily cortisol profile. A happy couple that participates in regulating this hormone’s levels can improve their sleep quality on their own.
The interaction between oxytocin and cortisol may also influence our sleep quality, as oxytocin can lower cortisol levels.
“However, the fact that you are trying hard to fall asleep does not necessarily reflect poorly on your relationship,” the professor added. Romantic relationships are just one of many factors associated with sleep quality. Other influences include work relationships, physical health, stress levels, noise, and lighting in the room.
“To maintain the spark in relationships while also reaping health benefits such as cortisol regulation and improved sleep, it’s essential to fill the relationship with new positive experiences,” Emre Selçuk emphasized.
