Sleep… get some.

Sleep… get some. As I’ve mentioned before in previous posts, when two people are over tired, fights can break out. These are often senseless fights. Early in our marriage, Eric and I had our share of silly, late night “But you do not understand me!” fights; and, the next morning we’d wake up and ask ourselves, “What were we fighting about again?”

Sleep seems optional when you’re young. God designed our bodies to need sleep, so if we’re avoiding sleep and not getting enough, we are paying a price even if we can’t see it. Proper sleep is important for the following reasons:

• It helps our bodies heal.
• It can help improve your memory and your capacity to learn.
• It improves your mood and gives you a better overall attitude.
• It helps control your weight. Lack of sleep affects your metabolism and can lead to weight gain.

These are just a few benefits sleep gives to your body. You will also notice a huge benefit to your relationship! Whether or not it seems true at this point in your life, your relationship will require sleep just like your body. Living with someone is not always easy. At times, his or her sheer presence will place demands on you that living alone will not. You don’t have to hurry up and get out of the bathroom if you are living alone. The TV is never too loud if you live alone (unless the neighbors say something). It is never too hot or too cold if you live by yourself because you are king or queen of the thermostat.

However, once you are married and living under the same roof with a member of the opposite sex, little annoyances will come and without proper rest, small aggravations can turn into large fights.

After a while of senseless arguments, I began noticing that we got into more arguments later in the work week. Neither of us were getting enough rest and it affected our ability to communicate well. Finally, after years of us falling into this trap, I noticed Eric getting grouchy about something and it occurred to me… “It’s Friday night! He needs sleep!” If my memory serves me, I think I told him that he seemed tired and should probably go to bed. He agreed and went to sleep. The next day was fine.

Even if you don’t think it is important now, invest in your overall future health by getting into a good sleep pattern now. Once you are married, if possible, have a bedtime routine that allows you both to go to bed at the same time. Have a time of Bible reading and prayer before bed (or upon waking up together – for you morning people ~smile~) and shoot for having that start by a certain time of day. Sleep can’t always be perfect, but most people can stand to improve. I know I can!

How have your sleeping habits affected your life thus far? Have you seen lack of sleep affect your current relationships? Friends, parents, siblings, etc?