How to get a good nights sleep if you're sleeping next to someone new

Whether it’s a one-night stand or that new special someone, sharing the covers with someone else for the first time can be a recipe for a restless night.

And, of course, you don’t know what sort of sleeper they are until that first night: they could snore, mumble nonsense, toss and turn, or accidentally catch you with an elbow.

If someone does any of the above, you could be awake all night and definitely grumpy at sunrise – which can put a pin in some morning fun under the covers.

Getting your shut eye is key, but how can you ensure you have a peaceful night’s sleep, even with the stolen sheets and fog-horn snoring?

Sleep expert Martin Seeley gave us some useful tips to catch those 40 winks no matter who your duvet partner is.

Keep to a sleep schedule 

Martin, from MattressNextDay, said: ‘Keeping a regular sleep schedule and evening routine should help if you have someone sleeping next to you for the first time.

‘Often the feeling of having another body next to you can be hard to get used to, but by keeping a routine that allows you both to enter sleep at the same time should make it easier to have a peaceful night’s sleep.

‘Perhaps you can both read for an hour and then turn off the light at the same time, as opposed to one person coming to bed later and waking the other up.’

Communicate beforehand

As with almost everything in a relationship, talking to your partner can save a lot of issues in the long term.

Martin said: ‘Communication is key when it comes to sleeping next to someone for the first time.

‘If you are a person who finds it hard to drop off to sleep anyway, communicating this to your partner will help them to be a little more aware of themselves during sleep.

‘So, if there are any disturbances or you feel you need to change things up to help you sleep, they can be open and accepting to any ideas and options you may have.’

Establish cuddle time

Try not to get carried away doing things other than sleeping.

‘Set boundaries and establish a cuddle time, and a sleep time,’ said Martin.

‘Often when we are sleeping next to a new partner, this can both be exciting and exhausting, and we may find that we take longer to fall asleep because we want to spend time awake with the other person, cuddling, talking or having sex.

‘This is great for your mental health and brings you closer to this person, however this isn’t fantastic for your physical health, as it could lead you to get less than the recommended amount of sleep per night which will leave you feeling tired and groggy the next day.

‘Make sure to set some boundaries in the bedroom, and perhaps allocate an hour per evening of cuddle time, and then set a strict bedtime where you both go to sleep.’

Block your senses

While eye masks aren’t for everyone, if you’re bold enough to wear one next to a new partner then it could really help.

Earplugs are a more subtle option which can protect you from aggressive snoring, plus you can take them out in the morning before they realise.

Martin said: ‘The easiest way to help prevent any unwanted disturbances from your partner is to block your senses using a silk eye mask and suitable earplugs.’

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