When your partner snores…

Getting the appropriate amount of sleep happens to be the first FE commandment because of its many health benefits.  I call it the body’s great equalizer but after many years of working with married or cohabitating heterosexual women and men, I’ve noticed a pattern: One person snores- not to mention, kicks, flails about, gets up earlier or goes to bed later than the other.  As a result, the other person is deprived a restful night’s sleep.  And usually, the other person is the woman.  Granted, women do snore but men snore more than women. 

The causes of snoring are as varied as physiological disorders like sleep apnea, being overweight, smoking and alcohol consumption, to name a few.  While physiological factors are beyond your control, there are other steps you can take to prevent snoring.  Of course, my focus here is on weight management, smoking and alcohol consumption.

 

The FE Not-so-obvious Quick Tip for Weight Management:  Get a body buddy

Choose a nutritional and exercise program that works for you and enlist the help of a body buddy, preferably someone with similar goals, to stick with it.  There’s nothing like having a supportive ally in your corner when those urges to splurge kick in.  If you are overweight and you snore, losing weight will benefit you and your sleep partner in more ways than one.

 

The FE Not-so-obvious Quick Tip for Smoke Cessation:  Change before you break. 

Breaking habits can be hard, especially when they’re addictive!  My advice, find an alternative behavior that is HEALTHY and do that instead when you get the urge to smoke.  If you can hold on for 3 to 4 weeks, you’ll have a better chance of actually breaking the bad habit permanently.  If you need additional help and support, start here.  

 

The FE Not-so-obvious Quick Tip for Limiting Alcohol Consumption:  Sweeten the Deal

Brainstorm with your loved ones to come up with in-kind wagers or creative incentives for you to drink less.  Perhaps your partner will agree to serve a home-made breakfast in bed on the weekends for a month or send you to the salon for a bit of pampering each week you cut back.  This tip is intended for people who drink socially.  If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol abuse, please seek the appropriate help.  Start here

 

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