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Have you ever wondered when it's best to get intimate to get good sleep? Well, wonder no more. The sleep experts at MattressNextDay are sharing when and even how to keep the spark alive in the bedroom to ensure you and your partner both get the sleep you deserve.
Having sex just before bed could help you fall asleep quicker
After a long day of work, household chores, or even looking after the family, sex can often be the last thing on your mind. You may even prefer to get intimate during the day to have more time to focus on your partner. However, there is one benefit to sex just before bedtime and that’s good sleep.
One study discovered that sexual activity and intimacy may improve sleep and overall well-being. Participants who had sex and experienced an orgasm before going to sleep reported improved sleep latency - which is the time it takes to fall asleep after lights out - and sleep quality, meaning they felt they slept better after getting intimate.
A sleep study revealed sex before bed could be as good as a sleeping pill
A further study discovered that three in four people reported an improved night's sleep after sex. The majority, however, felt that a sleeping pill had the same or worse effect on their sleep, indicating that sex before bed could be an option to improve overall sleep quality.
But is there a reason for this?
Stress levels are reduced with sex leading to better sleep
Sex has been proven to reduce levels of cortisol - often known as your stress hormone - which can keep you awake and leave you feeling more alert. Cortisol naturally rises in the morning when it is time to wake, but it can also rise if you are feeling stressed before bed or even if you stay awake during the night watching TV. The lights emitted from your TV or phone can trick your brain into thinking it is time to wake up, releasing cortisol.
However, intimacy can help the body release oxytocin and prolactin which can help you feel more relaxed, thus able to get a better night’s sleep.
And cold weather leads to us craving more intimacy meaning better night’s sleep in winter
Interestingly, you might notice that the spark between you and your partner increases during cold weather. There’s a scientific reason behind this. When the temperatures drop, naturally, we are more likely to stay indoors with our partners and enjoy cosy nights, plus it's harder to get out of bed in the morning. But did you know that testosterone peaks in the winter months? As this peaks, the drive for intimacy increases, meaning you could experience a better night’s sleep during winter due to sex before bed.
But if you find that you are looking to bring the spark back into your bedroom - and improve your sleep at the same time - we are sharing our top tips for creating a bedroom that is a haven for intimacy.
- Use warm lighting in your bedroom
We all know that a cosy atmosphere can promote intimacy, but using warm, dim lighting can even set the tone for improved sleep. Red light and other muted, orange lights can encourage the brain to relax and sleep, while also encouraging intimacy between you and your partner.
As a good rule of thumb, try to get into the habit of using warm lighting when it gets dark, as opposed to bright, white lighting that can trick your brain into thinking it’s time to wake.
- Try to keep the bedroom a technology-free zone
This might be harder than it sounds and, if so, try to get into the habit of placing your phones in a drawer - or the other side of the room - when getting into bed to encourage you to keep your bed a place for sleep and sex. Again, this is a way of ensuring that when you get into a bed, you begin to naturally wind down. We suggest trying this at least 30 minutes before you intend to sleep.
- Invest in blackout curtains and eliminate any sources of noise disruption or external noise
Investing in blackout curtains can not only improve sleep as it eliminates any natural light, waking you up, but it can also create a cosy, cocoon-style environment for your bedroom - perfect for intimacy.
- Leave work outside the bedroom
Even just checking an email can take time away from your partner and lead to the bedroom becoming a place of work. In time, this could also impact your sleep and leave you unable to relax due to your bedroom becoming synonymous with a place of work. If possible, try to eliminate all work activities up to one hour before your bedtime to allow yourself time to wind down.
If you're not in the mood to get steamy, you can also discover the benefits of a bedtime kiss, but once you've done the deed, make sure to reap the rewards of cuddling for an even better night's sleep. For more tips on how to improve your sleep in a relationship, you can read about what your couple's sleeping position means, or even discover why having your own side of the bed is important.
