Have you ever wondered why we feel sleepy around our loved ones? It is a peculiar sensation-one moment you’re wide awake, engaged in a conversation. The next moment, you’re fighting off a wave of sleepiness. It’s not that they bore you. In reality, something about their presence makes you incredibly relaxed and ready to drift off to sleep.
I was so intrigued by this phenomenon that I decided to dive deep into the science behind it.
What I discovered was fascinating!
There are several reasons. They range from biological to hormonal, psychological, and emotional factors. At the core, it’s the release of hormones because of their sense of safety and security. All that can enhance your sleep quality. It can also lead to restorative sleep and more positive mental health.
So, if you’ve ever found yourself yawning around your romantic partner, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Let’s explore this intriguing aspect of human behavior together.
Restorative sleep: why we feel sleepy around our loved ones?
You’ll feel a sense of safety and security when you are in your partner’s arms. This, in turn, leads to better sleep quality. Yes, that fuzzy feeling is like being wrapped in a cozy blanket on a cold winter’s night.
I remember when I first started dating my partner. We would spend hours talking, laughing, and simply enjoying each other’s company. But as the night wore on, I often felt incredibly sleepy.
At first, I thought it was just because we stayed up late. But then I noticed that even when we hung out earlier in the day, I would still feel this overwhelming sense of drowsiness.
I realized it wasn’t the time of day that made me sleepy.
It was my partner’s presence. Being in my partner’s arms made me feel safe and secure. It was as though all my worries and anxieties melted away when he was around. My partner’s presence made me feel safe and secure enough to relax and fall asleep.
This beautiful natural reaction also helps raise serotonin levels, especially in women. In turn, it helps regulate mood and sleep partners.
Now, let’s talk about the different instances and benefits of why we feel sleepy around our loved ones.
1. The brain releases oxytocin, driving deeper sleep
Being around a loved one releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes sleep and feelings of drowsiness.
I remember the first time I noticed it.
I was sitting on the couch with my partner, our fingers intertwined, and I could feel my eyelids growing heavy.
I wasn’t tired, not really. But this overwhelming sense of drowsiness seemed to wash over me. I later found out that this was due to a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin is also called the ‘love hormone.’ It is released when we’re around someone we care deeply about. It’s the same hormone that helps mothers bond with their newborns and fuels intimate moments between couples.
But oxytocin doesn’t just make us feel good; it also promotes sleep.
Think about it like this: the brain releases oxytocin when you’re around someone you love. So you become warm, fuzzy, and drowsy. It’s like your body saying, “Hey, you’re safe and loved. You can relax now.”
So, the next time you feel sleepy around your loved one, don’t fight it. Embrace it. It’s just your body’s way of telling you that you’re in a good place, surrounded by love and care. And honestly, what could be better than that?
2. You are feeling safe and secure
When I was a child, my parents would tuck me into bed at night. Their presence made me feel so safe that I drifted to sleep without a care.
So, that feel-good concept does not only apply to a romantic relationship. The same principles apply to being around our friends and family. That solid emotional connection reinforces the feelings of safety and security.
This, in turn, can lead to better sleep quality. It’s no wonder many of us have reported that we tend to sleep better when we share living spaces with our partners or parents.
3. Being around your loved one builds trust and a chemical bond with them
Another interesting reason why we feel sleepy around our loved ones is that we exchange a host of chemicals. As our bodies release those feel-good hormones, oxytocin and serotonin, it is the same as our romantic partner.
So together, we exchange these chemicals. We further enhance it by sharing kisses, cuddling, and spending intimate moments.
As said earlier, serotonin becomes a mood stabilizer. This, in turn, improves sleep patterns. Serotonin plays a vital role in helping us achieve deeper sleep. This is because the brain requires serotonin to create melatonin. Melatonin is the primary hormone that maintains our sleep-wake cycle.
4. Physical touch sessions with loved ones help you fall asleep faster
Physical contact with your partner is a great way to make your brain release more oxytocin. Connecting and feeling your partner physically aids you to fall asleep quicker and get enough sleep. Hence all that cocktail of physical touch leads to the release of good hormones.
So, how do you achieve that physical touch? It’s easy. Find time to enjoy your partner’s arms. Snuggle closer when sleeping to feel comfortable and emotionally safe. You’ll love all those good hormones coursing through your body are a biological response to the physical contact with your partner. It’s one of the most amazing reasons why we fall asleep around our loved ones.
Think about that couple you found down the street, holding hands and appearing to have fun. There’s a level of sync between how they hold hands and do many other things that can be super beneficial. As we consciously try to create warm and loving relationships, you will find that sleeping together can bring you spiritually and physically close.
5. Emotional connection enhances relaxation and sleep quality
Our heartbeats and breathing can sync up when we are around someone we love.
Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine being cuddled up on the couch with your partner, watching your favorite movie. You’re both relaxed, comfortable, and content. As you sit there, your breathing matches theirs. You inhale when they inhale, exhale when they exhale. It’s a subtle thing, but it’s there.
This synchronization isn’t just a cute couple thing, however. It promotes relaxation. When our breathing and heartbeats sync up, it can create a sense of harmony and connection. It’s like our bodies communicate on a level deeper than words. This deeper connection can push you to have enough sleep. That’s why we feel sleepy around our loved ones.
I remember when I first noticed this with my partner. We were lying in bed one night, just talking and laughing. I realized that our breathing had synced up without us even trying. It was comforting to feel like we were in our little world. And before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep, feeling entirely at peace.
So, the next time you find yourself getting sleepy around your loved one, take a moment to notice your breathing. You might find that it’s synced up with theirs, creating a sense of connection that’s as comforting as it is powerful.
6 You haven’t got enough rest
Surprisingly, not all reasons why we feel sleepy around our loved ones are good. Suppose you have a busy professional life and must factor that in when scheduling your relationship. In that case, there might be many clashes from time to time.
This can get in the way of your romantic life, making you push too many activities to the time you should be spending sleeping. So, to make time for yourselves, you find late-night dinner dates, Netflix, chill at odd hours, or even have conversations in the early morning.
All these are fantastic. But when they happen regularly, you may feel more tired. This is because you have low energy and need to spend more time getting sleep.
7. You are sexually drained
Another reason why we feel sleepy around our loved ones is because we are genuinely drained. After having intimate moments filled with sexual intimacy, you may feel extra tired. But this tiredness is a good thing. In reality, it’s reaching an intense relaxation mode that triggers sleep chemicals and pushes you to have long, excellent, restorative sleep.
Beyond that, you’ll also be flooded with many feel-good chemicals and feels. This pushes you not just to sleep but also to enjoy quality sleep.
The Benefits of Co-sleeping with your loved one or romantic partner
Couples who sleep together can stay forever. When you spend more nights in your partner’s presence, you enjoy that reassuring guide. Sleeping next to your beloved can strengthen your bond. It can also create a massive comfort and understanding with one another.
By being around your loved one, there are many fascinating benefits you enjoy. These benefits are even higher when you choose to sleep next to your loved one.
Let’s talk about the fascinating reasons you should choose to co-sleep and help boost your mental health and well-being.
1. Improve overall well-being
Research shows that sleeping together increases the chance of frequent sex. Hence, you build a more intimate atmosphere where. This, in turn, means you can enjoy more wholesome and positive benefits to your overall well-being.
One of the most significant benefits is lower blood pressure. When you’re in a loving relationship, your body produces less cortisol. This stress hormone can lead to high blood pressure.
I remember when I first started sharing a bed with my partner, I was dealing with hypertension. But after a few months, my doctor was surprised that my blood pressure levels had significantly dropped.
2. Reduces stress and anxiety
You shouldn’t stop at just wondering why we feel sleepy around our loved ones. Co-sleeping also helps reduce stress. A certain level of intimacy and trust is involved in sharing a bed with someone.
This strong emotional connection can help alleviate feelings of anxiety and stress. I can attest to this.
On days when work gets too overwhelming, the thought of coming home to my partner and our shared bed brings a sense of calm.
Beyond stress, if you’re anxious, you can benefit from getting a sound sleep. Even when anxiety and insecurities threaten to keep you awake, switching to go into your partner’s arms can be helpful. When you do that, you will find how it helps to eliminate restless nights and endless thoughts.
3. Build better sleep schedules
Co-sleeping can push you and your partner to go to bed simultaneously. Hence, you’ll have the same sleep schedule, which will improve your sleep-wake cycle. This is in contrast to sleeping alone, which can drive some people to waste time on their phone scrolling through social media.
Because they can’t seem to unwind, they end up not feeling sleepy. This, in turn, leads to an unhealthy sleep schedule and lower energy levels. Therefore, seize the advantage of your romantic relationships by pushing to build the same sleep schedule. It helps maximize your active hours and will drive you to fall asleep quickly at night.
4. Anti-aging
The happiness and contentment you feel when you’re with your loved one can boost the production of the hormone DHEA. DHEA has anti-aging properties. I can’t say I look ten years younger. But I feel more youthful and more energetic since we started sleeping together.
Another study also found that sleeping together increased the chances of indulging in sexual activity. This, in turn, meant you had higher chances of helping your body form longer telomeres.
A telomere is a protective cap on your DNA that determines the lifespan of your cells.
Hence, longer telomeres lead to slower cellular aging and higher life expectancy.
So, the next time you find yourself sleepy around your loved one, embrace it. It’s a sign of comfort and love and a testament to the health benefits you’re reaping.
And don’t forget to indulge more in those sexual activities. The extra boost to your physical health and life expectancy is worth it.
5. Co-sleeping can be soothing after a long day
Another reason why we feel sleepy around our loved ones is the warmth and comfort, especially after a hard day. It’s like a warm blanket on a cold day, a soothing balm for a weary soul. That comfort and security can lift all that weariness, leading to a more profound sense of relaxation.
Let me paint a picture for you.
Imagine coming home after a day filled with meetings, deadlines, and endless to-do lists. Your mind is buzzing, your body is tired, and you only want a moment of peace. Then, you see your loved one. Maybe it’s your partner, child, or even a close friend. Suddenly, the world seems a little less chaotic. Their presence alone is enough to make you feel at ease.
This is something I’ve experienced personally. Whenever I’m around my partner, I can’t help but feel a wave of calm wash over me. His voice, his laughter, even his mere presence, they all have a way of making me feel safe and secure. It’s as if my body recognizes that I’m in a safe space, allowing me to let my guard down and relax.
And with relaxation often comes drowsiness. It’s a natural response to feeling safe and secure. Your body, no longer on high alert, can finally take a breather. It’s like it’s saying, “Okay, we’re safe now. We can rest.” And so, you start to feel sleepy.
So, the next time you feel drowsy around a loved one, don’t fight it. Embrace it. It’s your body’s way of telling you that you’re in a safe and loving environment.
The Bottom Line
Moreover, being in love often involves much physical activity. Whether going on romantic dates, dancing together, or simply cuddling on the couch, these activities require energy. I remember that during the early stages of my relationship, we would often go on long walks or dance until the early hours of the morning.
While these moments were enjoyable and romantic, they also tired me physically. Being in love can also make you tired due to processing essential feelings and engaging in physical activity. Sleeping or spending time around our loved ones can improve our romantic relationships.
So now you know why we feel sleepy around our loved ones. It’s an entirely normal part of the love experience. It’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s working hard to process all the beautiful feelings and experiences that come with being in love. So, embrace the sleepiness. It’s just another sign of your deep affection.
