Sleep deprivation can be a complex phenomenon to unravel because both physical and psychological factors can inhibit the sleep cycle. Understanding that the two often overlap can help to develop a viable solution, however. In fact, a study published in the journal Psychological Science combined the two and improved sleep loss in sleep deprived participants.
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The research, from the University of British Columbia, found that scent of a romantic partner can improve sleep quality.
The researchers found that study participants who were exposed to their partner’s scent overnight experienced better sleep quality, even though their partner was not physically present.
“Our findings provide new evidence that merely sleeping with a partner’s scent improves sleep efficiency. Our participants had an average sleep efficiency improvement of more than two per cent,” said Marlise Hofer, the study’s lead author and a graduate student in the UBC department of psychology.
Hofer added: “We saw an effect similar in size to what has been reported from taking oral melatonin supplements – often used as a sleep aid.”
For the study, the researchers analyzed sleep data from 155 participants who were given two identical-looking t-shirts to use as pillowcases – one had been previously worn by their romantic partner, and the other had either been previously worn by a stranger or was clean.
To capture body odour on the t-shirts, the participants’ partners were given a clean t-shirt to wear for 24 hours, and were asked to refrain from using deodorant and scented body products, smoking, exercising and eating certain foods that could affect their body odour.
The t-shirts were then frozen to preserve their scent.
Each participant was then given two shirts to place over their pillows, without being told which one was which.
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They spent two consecutive nights sleeping with each t-shirt. Each morning, they completed a survey about how well-rested they felt.
Their sleep quality was also objectively measured using an actigraphy sleep watch that monitored their movements throughout the night.
At the end of the study, participants guessed if the shirts they had been sleeping with had previously been worn by their partner.
Participants reported feeling more well-rested on the nights when they believed they were sleeping with their partner’s scent.
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Moreover, regardless of their beliefs about scent exposure, data from the sleep watches indicated that objective sleep improved when participants were actually exposed to their partner’s scent.
“One of the most surprising findings is how a romantic partner’s scent can improve sleep quality even outside of our conscious awareness,” said Frances Chen, the study’s senior author and associate professor in the UBC department of psychology.
Chen added: “The sleep watch data showed that participants experienced less tossing and turning when exposed to their partners’ scent, even if they weren’t aware of whose scent they were smelling.”
The researchers say the physical presence of a long-term romantic partner is associated with positive health outcomes such as a sense of safety, calm and relaxation, which in turn leads to better sleep.
By signalling recent physical proximity, the mere scent of a partner may have similar benefits.
Hofer says the research could pave the way for future work examining the efficacy of simple and effective methods of improving sleep, such as bringing a partner’s shirt the next time you travel alone.
General tips for treating sleep loss
According to the NHS, making your bedroom sleep-friendly is a simple way to help you unwind.
For optimal sleep conditions, your bedroom needs to be dark, quiet, tidy and be kept at a temperature of between 18C and 24C, says the health site.
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