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Lovers' quarrels are linked to lack of sleep
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Scientists have found that couples who regularly do not get enough sleep have much more frequent quarrels. Couples who spend less than the recommended amount of sleep (about 8 hours) not only worsen their health, but also their relationships. This is the conclusion reached by psychologists from Ohio University. They studied more than 40 couples who were in relationships and periodically quarreled. If both the man and the woman did not get enough sleep, they communicated with each other mainly in high tones, with obvious notes of ill will. If only one person in the couple did not get enough sleep, the risk of a quarrel was reduced by about half.
During the study, psychologists paid attention to both the intonation and gestures of quarreling people, and the content of interleukin-6 in the blood, as well as the factor of anti-inflammatory proteins (tumor necrosis): circulatory changes in these substances often lead to the development of various chronic pathologies. Scientists found out that only such a factor as a lack of adequate sleep did not affect the increase in inflammatory markers. As a result of poor and insufficient sleep, men and women really often entered into conflicts with each other: quarrels provoked a stress disorder, which, in turn, adversely affected the state of immune defense. In addition, specialists managed to prove that quality sleep affects a good mood and even an adequate sense of humor: well-rested cells have a beneficial effect on many areas of the brain - and, in particular, on the area responsible for decision-making. It is almost impossible to find the best way out of a given situation without using logical thinking, irony, and a willingness to listen to your opponent. It is no coincidence that in the first months after the birth of a child, young parents often go through a personal crisis. The reasons for this are the same: a man and a woman simply need to sleep well and qualitatively. Of course, lack of sleep does not always lead to such results.
Describing the results of the study, the authors talk specifically about chronic, long-term lack of sleep: the human body invariably suffers, irritability and negativity accumulate, which sooner or later affects the attitude towards your partner. One sleepless night will not cause much harm to the body, but several nights without quality sleep worsen the perception of reality, block the need for communication, and suppress cheerfulness. If lack of sleep becomes permanent, then a person is threatened with more serious consequences: isolation, apathy, and even depression. Some men and women may experience a decrease in sexual desire, a deterioration in immunity. Such consequences are really serious. So is it worth risking both your health and the quality of your relationship? It is better to talk to each other and solve the problem before it begins to make its own adjustments to your life.
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