Colin Snow
The phrase 'who needs sleep when we've got love' is a common saying, but does it hold any truth? Research has shown that sleeping next to someone you love can improve sleep quality and give you a better night's rest. This is because when you sleep with a partner, you're less likely to get caught up in your inner monologue and more likely to relax and fall asleep. Being physically close to the one you love means your brain will release oxytocin, the 'love hormone', and serotonin, the 'happy hormone'. However, some people believe that sleep is not our true rest, and that we should not love sleep more than God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Improved sleep quality | For women in a committed relationship |
| Feeling of safety and security | When sleeping next to a partner |
| Release of oxytocin and serotonin | When physically close to a loved one |
| Not living to rest | The faithful are focused |
| Not loving sleep more than God | God is the one who makes the garden grow |
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What You'll Learn
The benefits of sleeping next to someone you love
While the idea of forgoing sleep for love may sound romantic, it's important to remember that sleep is essential for our well-being. However, sleeping next to someone you love can actually improve your sleep quality and give you a better night's rest.
Research has shown that women in committed relationships who go to bed next to their partners experience improved sleep. When you sleep with a partner, you're less likely to get caught up in your thoughts, which can often lead to overthinking and interfere with sleep. Instead, you're more likely to relax and fall asleep more easily.
Sleeping next to your loved one can also make you feel safer and more secure. The physical closeness boosts oxytocin, the "love hormone", and serotonin, the "happy hormone", which promote a sense of well-being and relaxation.
Additionally, for women, spending time in bed with a partner can boost estrogen levels, which helps promote deeper sleep. So, while love may be enticing, don't forget the importance of a good night's sleep, especially when sharing a bed with someone you love can bring its own unique benefits.
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The Bible's view on sleep
Sleep is a significant part of the human experience and is alluded to frequently in the Bible. The Bible uses the word 'sleep' in three different ways: natural physical slumber, moral or spiritual inactivity (i.e. apathy, laziness, idleness), and as a euphemism for death.
The Bible acknowledges the human body's need for rest and the importance of sleep for physical and spiritual refreshment. For example, Scripture tells us that even Jesus needed time to rest (John 4:6; Mark 4:38; 6:31; Luke 9:58). A good night's sleep is described as a priceless gift from God, restoring strength and well-being to the human body and refreshing the mind and spirit.
However, the Bible also warns against sleeping too much, as it may reflect laziness. Proverbs 6:9-11 asks sarcastically, "How long will you lie there, O sluggard?" and warns that one who sleeps when he should be working will come to poverty. In contrast, the Proverbs 31 woman routinely rises early to work in her home (Proverbs 31:15). The Bible teaches that there is a time to sacrifice sleep for a greater spiritual good.
The Bible also uses the concept of sleep symbolically to stress certain truths about God. For example, a psalmist wrote, "He will not allow your foot to slip; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4, NLT). This emphasizes the fact that the Lord is ever watchful of our needs.
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The benefits of oxytocin and serotonin
Spending time in bed with a partner can promote restorative sleep. Being physically close to someone you love means your brain will release oxytocin, the "love hormone", and serotonin, the "happy hormone".
Oxytocin is a multifaceted hormone that can act on the cellular level to enhance cardiovascular health, reduce stress levels, improve metabolic efficiency, and promote muscle preservation and regeneration. Oxytocin can also help support fidelity and monogamy, empathy, and connection with an infant.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, digestion, sleep, and more. It is found in many parts of the body, including the digestive system, blood platelets, and the central nervous system. It is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan, which enters the body through the food you eat and is commonly found in meat, dairy products, eggs, and nuts. Serotonin is considered a natural mood stabiliser and is thought to contribute to well-being and happiness.
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Sleep is not the enemy
The psalmist writes, "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2). This reminds us that while sleep is important, it is not the most important thing. We should not live for sleep, but for God and others.
When we receive sleep as a gift from God, we can rest and be restored. Sleep can even be more restorative when we share a bed with someone we love. Research has shown that sleeping next to a partner can improve sleep quality and give us a better night's rest. Our brains release oxytocin, the "love hormone", and serotonin, the "happy hormone", when we are physically close to the one we love.
However, we must not love sleep more than God. King David writes, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). Sleep does not make the garden grow. God does. So let us receive sleep as a gift from God, but not as our true rest.
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Sleep and the workaholic
Sleep is important for everyone, but it can be especially challenging for workaholics who are constantly juggling multiple responsibilities and deadlines. For them, sleep may seem like a luxury or an unnecessary distraction from their busy schedules. However, prioritising sleep is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health, as well as optimising productivity and performance.
Research has shown that sleeping next to a loved one can improve sleep quality. When you're alone, it's easy to get caught up in your thoughts, overthink, and struggle to fall asleep. In contrast, the presence of a partner can promote relaxation and reduce the likelihood of getting lost in your inner monologue. Additionally, the physical closeness to a loved one boosts oxytocin and serotonin levels, enhancing feelings of happiness and security.
For workaholics, it's essential to recognise that adequate sleep is not a sign of laziness or a waste of time. The Bible warns against loving sleep more than God, but it also acknowledges the importance of rest. King David writes, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). Similarly, the psalmist writes, "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2).
While workaholics may strive for productivity and success, they must also prioritise their well-being. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased stress, impaired decision-making, and decreased creativity, ultimately hindering their ability to perform at their best. By embracing a healthy sleep routine, workaholics can enhance their focus, energy levels, and overall health, enabling them to approach their work with renewed vigour and effectiveness.
In conclusion, sleep is a vital aspect of life, even for the most dedicated workaholics. By understanding the benefits of sleep and incorporating healthy sleep habits into their routines, workaholics can achieve a better balance between their work and personal lives, ultimately improving their overall well-being and productivity.
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Frequently asked questions
Research has shown that sleeping next to a partner can improve sleep quality and give you a better night's rest. This is because you're less likely to get caught up in your own thoughts and more likely to relax and fall asleep. You may also feel a level of safety and security that you wouldn't feel when sleeping alone.
The Bible contains several passages that discuss the importance of sleep, including Proverbs 20:13, which says, "Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread". Another passage, Psalm 127:2, says, "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep".
Spending time in bed with your partner can boost estrogen levels in women, promoting deeper sleep. Being physically close to someone you love also causes your brain to release oxytocin, the "love hormone", and serotonin, the "happy hormone".
"Wisdom knows when to get some sleep (Proverbs 3:24), and when, in love for God and others, to forgo the gift for a greater good".
