Expert Advice: How to Relieve Stress from Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Sharon Yoon Correspondent

sharoncho0219@gmail.com | 2025-03-06 05:01:03

Expert advice has emerged for those suffering from a partner's snoring. The New York Times (NYT) in the U.S. has presented several solutions, including "pillow use" and "sleep divorce," based on the opinions of sleep experts.

1. Correcting Sleep Posture:

Heather E. Gunn, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Alabama, points out sleep posture as a major cause of snoring. Sleeping on the back can narrow the airway, so encouraging sleeping on the side is recommended.
Placing a pillow behind the partner to help them sleep on their side or using nasal irrigation can alleviate snoring symptoms.

2. Separating Sleep Environments (Sleep Divorce):

If snoring issues persist despite correcting sleep posture, "sleep divorce" can be considered. This involves separating bedrooms for individual sleep.
Dr. Gunn emphasizes that while sleep divorce may seem to harm the relationship, sleep deprivation-induced stress can be more damaging. Maintaining quality time during the day is crucial.

3. Severity of Snoring and Sleep Apnea:

Snoring and sleep apnea can degrade sleep quality, leading to various health issues like daytime sleepiness, headaches, memory loss, and depression.
According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of sleep apnea patients is steadily increasing, highlighting the need for active management and treatment.

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