It’s the sweet sound of sleep that arrives just moments after his head hits the pillow. It doesn’t matter what time of day or night. When the Husband lies down to rest, it’s not long before his breathing slows, his mouth cracks open a bit and he drifts off into slumberland.
If he didn’t look so peaceful I might be upset by the ease of his sleepiness next to my mind racing through thoughts and activities from the day, tomorrow’s To-Do list and even the slightest worry about what will happen if I don’t fall asleep in the next 25 minutes. {They say one of the greatest influencers of insomnia is the WORRY about not being able to fall asleep. Sheesh.}
It wasn’t just his perfect restfulness that was difficult about the sleep situation when we first got married. Probably more significant was the sleep arrangement. I love to sleep in what feels like a puff of clouds, enveloped with covers, melting into warmth and softness. And I’m a side sleeper. He’s a back sleeper, and he likes a firm mattress—and that’s what we were sleeping on. Ouch! For months it felt like I woke up bruised. It wasn’t until we sat down to lunch with a friend who used to sell mattresses that we learned this is a real thing. Hard mattresses are for back {or tummy} sleepers; soft mattresses are for side sleepers.
After almost two and a half years later, we still have the same bed–and it’s not because he hasn’t offered to get a new one. But I’m more of a tummy sleeper now. I can even be found on my back now and then. I still have trouble falling asleep about four nights a week, but the Husband has learned that if he can manage to keep his eyes open an extra five minutes, a little soft caressing of my back often helps me relax and drift off to dreamland. {And I’ll add, a little melatonin doesn’t hurt either!}
Do you have different sleep habits from your spouse? How have you adapted?
Photo caption: © davidundderriese – Fotolia.com
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