We’ve all heard that sharing a bed with your partner the night before your wedding is a big no-no with the superstitious amongst us warning against it.
However, Dr Hana Patel, resident sleep expert at Time4Sleep, explains the surprising benefits of sleeping beside your partner the night before the big day and why you should reconsider the superstition.
Want to lower stress and anxiety? Snooze beside your partner
Snoozing with a partner is proven to help you feel more calm. If that’s not a reason to say “I do”, what is?
Dr Patel explains: “Sleep next to your partner has more benefits than you might think. Sharing a bed with your loved one can positively impact your mental health, with medical studies highlighting that it lowers levels of depression, anxiety and stress.”
“Many might be interested to know that sharing a bed with your partner can bring more satisfaction into your life and improve your relationships in general.”
“Therefore, I recommend sharing a bed with your partner the night before your wedding to achieve a more restful sleep, especially if you’re worried that nerves and stress may distract you from enjoying your day.”
Does your partner snore? Prioritise your individual sleep routine
In many relationships, each person will have differences; the same can be said regarding sleep. We all have a preferred bedtime routine and annoying habits you can’t help.
Dr Patel explains: “If your partner snores often, is a light sleeper or moves around a lot in bed, then this will cause a lot of disruption to your own sleep.”
“Sleep environments are crucial to good quality sleep, and if your partner has different sleep preferences, such as the room’s temperature, this will affect your ability to sleep well.”
“Heat was found to be the second most popular reason for couples resorting to sleep divorce in a study by Time4Sleep, with over a third (34%) opting to sleep separately from their partner.”
“Although in most cases I would recommend sharing a bed with your partner if you know that there will be a lot of disruption, it’s better to sleep alone the night before a wedding to avoid prolonged poor quality sleep”, Dr Patel adds.
Consider a pre-wedding nap
Dr Patel explains: “A prenuptial nap can also positively impact sleep disorders and conditions such as insomnia and sleep apnea.”
“Sleeping next to your partner has been proven to ease nerves and contribute to a feeling of calm3, so even a shorter nap of around half an hour is a great remedy for pre-wedding symptoms of stress and anxiety.”
“This might not be realistic for a morning wedding, but if your ceremony is scheduled for the afternoon or evening, consider a pre-wedding snooze.”
Aim for at least six and a half hours of rest
But how much sleep do you need to wake up with that ready-to-go wedding feeling?
Dr Patel recommends: “Leading up to the big day, try to get at least six-and-a-half hours of sleep each night; this will decrease the likelihood of irritability during such a stressful yet exciting time.
“You can help relax each other through calming bedtime routines and rituals. Meditation – more effective when done together, will help relax your body and mind.”
“Try to avoid using screens and have open discussions with each other to alleviate any stress or worries before the big day. Make sure you’re going to bed simultaneously, too, so you’re not waking each other up and contributing to a broken sleep cycle.”
