How to Be a Good Sleeping Partner

One of the places at home where there are the most disagreements has got to be the bed—from stealing covers, to temperature conflicts, and differing schedules, the disputes can be endless. So, it's time we find ways to be the most respectful sleeping partner that we can be.

Don't Hold Your Partner Hostage

In some living spaces it's hard to arrange furniture so that everything fits, but a word to the wise: no matter how tempting it may be, do not push your bed into the corner. By doing this, you are not only making it impossible for your partner to get out of bed without climbing over you, but you are also depriving them of any form of side table. All of us can appreciate being able to plug our phones in right next to our bed and being able to check it whenever we feel compelled, or being able to have a glass of water in case we wake up with a dry mouth that feels like the Sahara Desert. By pushing your mattress all the way against the wall, you are holding your poor, thirsty, phone-deprived, pee-holding partner hostage. Don't do it.

Respect Their Cuddling Preferences

Cuddling is a very polarizing topic when it comes to bedtime. Some love to cuddle all night long, while others prefer their personal space, and this debate can lead to some pretty heated arguments. Our advice? Respect your partner's cuddling preferences. If you love to spoon all night long, but your partner would rather have some extra space, it's perfectly fine to cuddle until bedtime and then let them have the extra space that they want while they sleep.

Don't Make Your Schedule Their Schedule

For some reason, we have it in our heads that, as a couple, we should go to bed at the same time. You should stay up until midnight watching Netflix with me, and I should go to bed at 9:30 with you so that we fall asleep in unison. When you say it out loud, you realize how crazy this notion actually is. You can spend time with your partner in the evening, but if they need to be out the door at 7 am, don't make them stay up late binge watching your favorite show, and on the flip side, don't feel the need to lay in bed staring at the ceiling for hours if your partner needs to go to bed early. Your relationship won't be impacted if you don't fall asleep together.

Don't Let Them Melt

One of the most frustrating things when trying to fall asleep is being hot. Regardless of how you prefer to sleep, do not let your partner sweat to death all night long. For starters, ditch that full-sized mattress. It's a perfectly suitable size for just you, but when you add a second person (and maybe a pet or two), the extra body heat can be stifling. Try upgrading to at least a queen-sized mattress, and if you want, you can take the extra measure and get a cooling mattress or a cooling mattress protector to go on top. Other precautions you can take to make sure your partner doesn't melt into a puddle of sweat while you blissfully saw logs? Invest in some breathable, sweat-wicking sheets.