Reader's Digest

READER’S DIGEST

Sleep-deprivation symptoms
aren’t definitive proof that you have
sleep apnoea. Nor for that matter
issnoringbutbothareworthin-
vestigating. “The diagnosis is ulti-
mately confirmed through a home
sleeptestorpolysomnogram”says
Gelb.“Youcanorganisethisthrough
your medical practitioner.”

HOWTOSHAREABED

When it comes to sleeping there
areprosandconstohavingabed-
mate. Given the common realities
of snoring rolling over and hogging
the blankets tucking in alone will
generally garner better results when
one’s sleep quality is measured with
objectivecriteriasuchastheamount
of slow-wave sleep a non-REM stage
thatiskeytomemoryconsolidation.
Conversely people tend to be more
subjectively satisied with their shut-
eyewhentheycuddleupnexttoa
lovingpartner–itreleasesoxytocin
afeel-goodhormonethatreduces
stressandpromotespairbonding.
Here are t wo ways to reap t he bene-
fits while minimising the downsides:
■Make sure your mattress is large
enoughfortwoandifyourpart-
ner’smovementsareanissueoptfor
memoryfoam;you’llbelesslikelyto
feeleverytossandturn.
■Work on your par t nership. Bad
sleepislinkedwithpoorrelation-
ship satisfaction and vice versa. It’s
an equation that can be tackled from
either side.

Getting enough sleep

isn’t only about avoiding

negative consequences.

Science has also

uncovered loads of

encouraging benefits

to achieving the

recommended average

of eight hours per night.

Recent evidence suggests

that it leads to:

■Enhanced ability to

read facial expressions

■Better immune-system

functioning

■Fewer cravings for

sweet treats

■Lessened chronic pain

■More measured

approach to risk-taking

■Less inflammation

SURPRISING

PERKS OF

ADEQUATE

SHUT-EYE