133. People in a steady relationship fall asleep faster than singles
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Your relationship status might affect how easily you fall asleep. In a study published in the journal Sleep Science, Australian researchers surveyed almost 800 adults. They found that people who live with a regular partner tend to fall asleep faster than people who have occasional or casual partners, or those who are single. People who have casual or occasional partners or who are single take over ten minutes longer to fall asleep than people who live with a regular partner. Ten minutes might not sound like a big problem, but as little as four to eight minutes can mean the difference between people with insomnia and people with no sleep disorders. The study also showed that women’s sleep onset was more affected by their relationship status than men’s. Fortunately for singles, the total amount of sleep overnight is about the same regardless of relationship status.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
