Have you ever drifted off to sleep after a long day, only to be woken up by someone snoring? If yes, then you might not be alone. Snoring is a common issue that impacts many people worldwide. While it might seem like a minor inconvenience for some, it can be a major source of anger and frustration for others. In this article, we’ll explore a few reasons why snoring may cause annoyance or anger, while also looking at a few ways to deal with it
Understanding Snoring
Snoring occurs when air struggles to flow in and out of the nose during sleep. The airway to the nose is blocked or becomes narrow, which causes the tissues in the throat to vibrate, leading to the snoring sound. It is normal for everyone to snore once in a while, but if it happens regularly, It can be an indication of an underlying health condition. Snoring is often associated with a condition called apnea. Other reasons for snoring are
- Sleeping with an open mouth
- Your airways are narrow or blocked when you sleep
- Sometimes a sleep disorder like sleep apnea can lead to snoring
- Allergies or colds can block nasal passages, leading to mouth breathing and snoring
- Excessive weight around the neck can pressure the airways, leading to snoring
Why Does Snoring Cause Anger?
There are many reasons why snoring can make some people angry. Some of them are:
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Sleep Deprivation
One of the main reasons why snoring can lead to annoyance or anger is that it leads to sleep deprivation. Constant disturbance from snoring can make it difficult for people to fall asleep or get a deep sleep during the night, which can lead to daytime frustration, tiredness and irritability
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Helplessness
The inability to stop the other person from snoring can lead to feelings of helplessness.
Knowing that snoring is an involuntary action that the other person has no control over and you can’t escape it without leaving the room can contribute to feelings of frustration
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Underlying Stress
Sometimes anger triggered by snoring can be an indication of underlying stress or anxiety. Constant disruption in sleep due to snoring may only contribute to existing stress.
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Misophonia
Misophonia is a condition where certain sounds trigger intense emotional reactions, including anger. For individuals with misophonia, snoring can be particularly disturbing, leading to inappropriate levels of anger
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Intensity Of Snoring
While mild snoring can be easy to cope with, intense and loud snoring can be disturbing. Research suggests that persistent, loud snoring can make it difficult for people to fall asleep. irregularity of the snoring can be a cause of disturbance as well. So the louder and more irregular the snoring, the higher the possibility for anger
How To Cope With Sleeping Next To A Snoring Person?
- Communicate openly with the other person regarding how their snoring has been impacting your life. Communicate with empathy without blaming the other person
- If you believe that the other person’s snoring is caused by an underlying medical issue, offer to accompany them to the doctor.
- Use earplugs while sleeping. Earplugs can help reduce the sound of snoring
- Listen to calming music as you go to sleep
- If the snoring is caused by the other person’s sleeping position, changing how they sleep can help.
- If nothing works, consider sleeping in a different room temporarily till the snoring is resolved
- If sleeplessness and anger are impacting your everyday life, consider seeking therapy for anger management
Conclusion:
Sleeping next to a snoring person can be really disturbing and detrimental to your sleep quality, leading to tiredness and anger. Strategies like changing the person’s sleeping position, listening to music, and using earplugs can help reduce the noise of snoring; However, if the snoring is very loud and intense, consider having an honest conversation with the other person. Avoiding the conversation will only intensify the anger
References:
- Blumen, M. B., Quera Salva, M. A., Vaugier, I., Leroux, K., d’Ortho, M.-P., Barbot, F., Chabolle, F., & Lofaso, F. (2012). Is snoring intensity responsible for the sleep partner’s poor quality of sleep? Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 16(3), 903–907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-011-0554-5
- How to Sleep When Someone Is Snoring. (2023, April 21). Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/snoring/how-to-sleep-when-someone-snores
- Partner’s Snoring Keeping You Up? Here’s How to Sleep With a Snorer. (n.d.). GoodRx. Retrieved July 1, 2024, from https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/sleep/how-to-sleep-with-snoring-partner
