It can be a real turn-off, despite the fact many of us are snorers ourselves (Picture: Getty Images)
When it comes to sleep-related icks, many of us are a little hypocritical.
A new study has revealed the five biggest sleep-related icks, highlighting that while we might be quick to criticise, a high percentage of us are guilty of these behaviours ourselves.
Leading the list is snoring, with a whopping 60% of people citing it as their biggest pet peeve.
It seems it may be a widespread case of the pot calling the kettle black, though, as the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association estimates 41.5% of the UK adult population snore – that’s around 15 million snorers across the country.
But snoring isn’t the only culprit; fidgeting (43%), sleepwalking (38%), sleep talking (28%), and dribbling (21%) also make the list of icks, showing that there are plenty of ways we can unintentionally annoy our bed partners.
The survey, conducted by Get Laid Beds in collaboration with Charli Davies, founder of Snuzzze, dives into these bedtime habits and their impact on our nightly rest.
‘It doesn’t surprise me that snoring tops the list,’ says sleep expert Charli. ‘It’s the bane of millions of people’s lives and often disrupts sleep.’
So if you want to avoid being kicked out of bed by your long-suffering sleep partner, it’s worth heeding her advice.
What causes snoring?
Charli explains: ‘Many lifestyle factors, such as diet and alcohol consumption, contribute to snoring.’
According to the NHS, you’re also more likely to snore if you’re overweight, you smoke, or you sleep on your back.
Snoring can be caused by a range of lifestyle factors (Picture: Getty Images)
In some cases, your noisy nighttime habit could be as a result of a condition like sleep apnoea, which is when your airways become temporarily blocked as you sleep.
Alternatively, snoring might be down to your mouth’s anatomy – such as a low, thick soft palate that narrows your airway or an obstruction caused by an elongated uvula – or a nasal issue like a deviated septum.
How to stop snoring
In the first instance, it’s best to make lifestyle changes. And one of the most obvious steps to take, according to Charli, is maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding alcohol.
‘Alcohol relaxes the muscles, including those in the throat, which can lead to snoring,’ she says.
Charli also suggests a simple trick to help with snoring: sleeping on your side instead of your back.
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‘I think most of us achieve this with a dig to the ribs or pushing the person we’re sharing a bed with,’ she adds. ‘But if you want to avoid this and reduce waking your bed partner, putting a pillow behind your back can stop you rolling onto it in the night.’Â
Overall sleep hygiene is also important, as sleep expert Narwan Amini previously told Metro.co.uk: ‘People tend to snore louder and more frequently when they’re sleep deprived, so to prevent exhaustion, try following a consistent bedtime schedule, avoiding screens before bed (screens cast blue light which keep your brain awake), and eating light, healthy dinners before bed.’
Unfortunately, though, this may not be enough to address the issue, and you may need to call in some outside help.
‘If these behaviours are affecting your sleep quality, your relationships, or your daily functioning, it’s important to consult a sleep professional or your GP,’ says Charli.
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