New York Researchers Say Insomnia Takes A Toll On Intimacy

Most of us know that insomnia can change the way that we function during the day. But did you know that it can also hurt the way we function at night too? That can end up leaving everyone involved unsatisfied...and no one is happy about that.

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A recent study that appeared in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that over 50% of women that struggle with insomnia also have problems enjoying intimacy. It's not just the ladies feeling the effects.

Men also had insomnia-related intimacy problems but not as much as women did. Sleep-deprived dudes were 23% of the individuals that had issues with their overall satisfaction. This study involved over 1,260 adults with an average age of 45.

Dr. Wilfred Pigeon from the University of Rochester, New York, looked at the findings and said that women had around twice the problem with intimacy dysfunction and insomnia compared to men. So, it's a double whammy for women.

How Does Insomnia Affect Us

Insomnia is a sleep disorder with difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and getting quality shuteye. 50 to 70 million people in the United States are affected by their sleep disorder. That's a  lot of tossing and turning going on.

The sleep experts want us to get six to eight hours of quality sleep per night. That my friends is easier said than done. If you have a hard time falling asleep, try winding-down first. Establish a routing and dim the lights.

You Can Actually Go To Bed Too Early

It's also a good idea to put away your phone and turn off the TV before you go to bed. Here's something of a surprise: Going to bed too early can lead to anxiety and stress, so hit the hay when you actually feel sleepy.

Still feeling stressed or anxious? Have a chat with a therapist or try over-the-counter sleep aids like melatonin. As always, remember to use supplements and medications carefully. Are you waking up during the night or too early?

You could have some underlying depression and it might not be a bad idea to consider therapy. Here's something else that has helped me, I skip the spicy meal before going to bed. That could be another reason why you can't fall asleep

If you find yourself staring at the ceiling for more than 20 minutes, try Thea Gallagher's advice. She's a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health. She suggests trying a calm activity like a crossword puzzle or reading a non-stimulating book outside the bedroom. Getting over-stimulated could be another reason that your struggling.

If you are finding that your still very tired after eight hours of sleep, it could be that you have sleep apnea. This is where you temporarily stop breathing while your sleeping. It is serious but treatable with a CPAP machine.

One of the best things that I did to help me get a good night's sleep was to get a CPAP machine. I find myself waking up more relaxed and ready for the day ahead. I don't know why I fought it for so long.

I want to be around to see my kids get married and this is one of the things that will help me get there to their special day.