MELBOURNE, Fla. — For those who find themselves tossing and turning in the night, a recent study suggests that maybe it’s time to try a different kind of tossing and turning. Sleep Cycle, a popular alarm clock app that also monitors sleep habits, surveyed more than 1,000 of its users in the United States to discover what best helps them get in a good snooze. The results: 68% of Americans said sex helps them sleep better. Of those surveyed, 40% ranked sex as the No. 1 pre-sleep activity for a good night’s sleep, followed by reading a book (33%) and listening to music (29%). Although the Sleep Cycle study surveyed only a small percentage of its 3 million users worldwide, the notion was backed up by the National Sleep Foundation, which has published its own information on the topic. It’s not just surveying, it’s science.
“Yes, sex can actually make it easier to fall asleep. This is mostly because of the hormones that are released during the act,” the National Sleep Foundation article states.
The foundation asserts that sex “boosts oxytocin, (a hormone that makes you feel connected to your partner) and lowers cortisol (a stress-related hormone).”
The article adds that having an orgasm releases the hormone prolactin, which makes you drowsy.
“All of that leads up to a nice, drowsy state that’s perfect for cuddling up and falling asleep,” it states.
Conversely, sex drive is also determined by sleep, the article states, so the better the sleep, the better the libido.
That being said, the couple who sleeps together, doesn’t always, well, actually sleep together. The Sleep Cycle survey, which was conducted in January, also showed that more than half of Americans surveyed said that their partner’s snoring wakes them up at night. Almost one-third of users said they sleep on the couch or in a separate room regularly.
Half of the respondents said if they aren’t awoken by their special someone sawing logs, it’s their partner’s alarm clock that does the trick. However, 79% of those surveyed said the alarm clock doesn’t bother them.
“Our data shows that Americans really value their sleep and that snoring continues to be a big issue in relationships,” said Carl Johan Hederoth, CEO of Northcube, the creators of Sleep Cycle. “It also shows that on Valentine’s Day and every day, couples should make romance a priority to help ensure a good night’s sleep.”
The study also examined sleep preferences such as temperature, darkness and sound.
Those findings include:
• 46% said they agree with their partner on the temperature of the room.
• 39% agree with their partner on the darkness in the room.
• 31%agree on the level of sound in the room.
Follow Jessica Saggio from USA Today Network on Twitter: @jessicajsaggio
