Unknown Speaker: Once a year, Canadians get to turn back their clocks at the end of daylight saving time and that gives them an extra hour to play with. Which will it be? Sleep or sex? The Better Sleep Council will put the question to almost 2000 people, but guess who said what? Nearly twice as many men want more sex and nearly twice as many women than choose to use that hour for sleep. So what can we learn from this?
Karen Hirschelmer: Women may simply be more tired. Research shows that while the gap is narrowing, that women are still doing more of the work at home even when both partners work full time.
Unknown Speaker: When I am tired, I just want to roll up and go to sleep. I really don't want to have sex when I am tired.
Unknown Speaker: A bad night sleep is hard on anyone and it can be hard on a couple too.
Unknown Speaker: I try not to let a sleepless night affect me, but there is no question. I am a little more irritable in the morning and I might be a little more short with her than I otherwise would be.
Unknown Speaker: More than half the people surveyed, especially women, said getting sexy with their partner is the last thing on their mind when they are tired.
Karen Hirschelmer: I see this kind of thing all the time. Not getting enough sleep can lead to more irritability, more bickering, which makes couples less likely to be loving, less likely to want to have sex.
Unknown Speaker: Couples tend not to advertise it, but sleep is a common source of tension. 8 in 10 claim their sleep was disturbed by their partner.
Karen Hirschelmer: Well, people can be on different schedules. One person, for example, may like to go to bed earlier, the other person may like to stay up late, while one person may toss and turn in the night.
Unknown Speaker: I am a little more of a light sleeper than my wife. So at least three or four times a week, she'll roll over or elbow me on the side and that will wake me up.
Unknown Speaker: The solution to sleep troubles among couples is simpler than you might think.
Karen Hirschelmer: Couples can work through any issues or hard feelings in order to reconnect. It's important too that they learn how to manage their moods and stress and talk about when they want to sleep versus have sex. Clutter and TV in the bedroom is not a great idea. I recommend to my clients that they make their bedroom a kind of sanctuary to be used primarily for two things, sex and sleep.
Unknown Speaker: 62% said a better bed would improve the quality of their sleep and a full quarter said it would improve their sex life. Here's something you can do. Check you mattress regularly to make sure it still supports you and doesn't sag and replace it every 8 to 10 years. Developing a bedtime routine is important too.
Karen Hirschelmer: So, for example reading a book or listening to music or taking a hot bath are all good ways for people to have a pre-bed ritual that will enable them to have a better night sleep.
Unknown Speaker: You okay if I turn off the lights.
Unknown Speaker: Sure, I am going to get to the bed too.
Unknown Speaker: To learn more about getting a better night sleep, go to bettersleep.ca.
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