Psychologists identify a sign that points to a healthy relationship

The search for a happy and healthy relationship it is a common aspiration for all, however, the appearance of these relationships can vary considerably from couple to couple.

While aspects such as trust, a sense of humor, intimacy and acceptance are widely recognized as important in any relationship, researchers have found that certain biological markers can also indicate a happy connection and healthy.

For example, psychologists claim that feeling sleepy around your partner can be a positive indicator. These findings highlight the complexity and diversity of factors that create happiness and health in romantic relationships.

According to psychology professor Madeline Sprajcer at the University of Central Queensland in Australia, people involved in romantic relationships tend to have higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding between partners.

Furthermore, they suggest that oxytocin may have a beneficial effect on our sleep pattern. So is a healthy relationship able to put us to sleep?

A chemical sign that you are in a happy relationship

Studies have revealed that oxytocin has the ability to speed up the falling asleep process and improve sleep. sleep efficiency, brought about by an increase in REM sleep episodes, known for its ability restorative.

This hormone, often referred to as the “love hormone,” is commonly released during sexual activity, especially during orgasm.

However, research indicates that oxytocin can also be released simply by sitting in the presence of a romantic partner to whom one feels strongly connected, as pointed out by Sprajcer.

In a study published in 2022 in the journal sleep science, Sprajcer and his research team revealed an association between regular relationships, satisfaction sexual intercourse and greater frequency of orgasm with the reduction of sleep latency, that is, the ease in fall sleep.

The specialist explained that this is a survey that indicates the quality of relationships, that is, the feeling of security within the relationship, which can have a positive impact on sleep.

In another study published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science http://myweb.sabanciuniv.edu/emreselcuk/files/2019/09/SelcukStantonSlatcherOng17.pdf in 2017, Emre Selçuk, associate professor of psychology at Sabanci University in Turkey, was able to demonstrate this association quantitatively.

In an interview to Newsweek, Emre Selçuk explained that the perception of the partner's responsiveness is a crucial factor in the quality of sleep. He highlighted that feeling understood, valued, and cared for by your partner is an important predictor of high-quality sleep.

Research results revealed that those who were in healthy, nurturing relationships experienced lower levels of anxiety, which contributed to more restful sleep.

Selçuk pointed out that high-quality sleep requires a relaxed state, and the presence of anxiety or stress accumulated throughout the day can interfere with falling asleep and cause awakenings frequent.

Cortisol is a hormone that plays an important role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle. Naturally, cortisol levels in the body fluctuate throughout the day, peaking in the morning to help us wake up, and remaining lower in the evening to facilitate sleep.

However, emotional stress can interfere with this natural balance. When we are exposed to high levels of stress for long periods, our body can continue to produce excess cortisol during the night, impairing the quality of sleep.

This can lead to difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and fragmented sleep.

According to Selçuk, the results of his research indicate that responsive relationship partners are associated with a healthier daytime cortisol profile.

This suggests that partners' role in cortisol regulation may be one of the biological switches responsible for promoting sleep quality in happy relationships.

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