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A partner snoring can be more than just annoying.

Dr Kaylor is a licensed clinical and medical psychologist who specializes in sleep.

A man sleeping on his back snoring next to his partner who�s covered her head and ears with a pillow

Dr Kaylor completed her residency at the Memphis VA Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr Leah Kaylor explains that During sleep, the muscles in the throat relax.

This is a sleep disorder where breathing stops and starts throughout the night.

A man sleeping on his back with his mouth open snoring

How to sleep next to someone who snores

1.

Talk with your partner to identify the possible causes of snoring.

Consider also being tested for sleep apnea, as its a serious disorder that shouldnt be left untreated.

A sleeeper wearing the purple Loop Earplugs as she sleeps, with a duvet up around her head

This could include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and losing weight.

Use earplugs

Earplugs can be an effective solution for blocking any ambient noise keeping you awake, including snoring.

Many foam earplugs are able to block out sound of up to 28-33 dB.

A woman pulling the covers off her partner who’s sleeping on his side

For context, the average volume of snoring varies between50 dB to more than 100 dB.

However, noises from around 40 dB and up start to affect our sleep, often waking us up.

These stay securely in place, offering consistent comfort and effectiveness.

A woman in bed reading a book with a cup of tea in hand and a lamp on the bedside table, as she completes her nighttime routine

Encourage nasal strips

Congestion can cause snoring and worsen snoring, making it louder or more intense.

This is because the nasal airways are blocked, which leads to mouth breathing.

For this reason, breathing through the nose is essential to make it prevent or quieten snoring.

Someone’s hand pressing a remote control to adjust the position of a bed and mattress

They are a great non-invasive solution to suggest to your partner, compared to otheranti-snoring devices.

Turn your partner on to their side

Certainsleep positionsmake snoring less likely.

A common position that causes snoring is back sleeping.

A woman wearing a pink eye mask tries mouth taping to cure her sleep apnea.

This increases the severity of OSA symptoms, including apnea events and snoring.

If your partner is sleeping on their back, you might gently reposition them to sleep on their side.

This will help reduce snoring.

A man and a woman sleeping in bed

It also minimizes the risk of acid reflux, which can worsen OSA symptoms, she adds.

If you want to sleep through the night, trylistening to white noiseas you fall asleep.

Some people find sleeping while listening to white noise difficult, so its worth experimenting with other sounds.

The Eight Sleep Pod 4 on a mattress in a bedroom with the Pod 4 hub next to the bed

More gentle alternatives can be pink and brown noise.

Go to bed earlier than your partner

Falling asleep can be difficult for many people.

To give yourself a chance of falling asleep soundly, try going to bed earlier than your partner.

man laying on white pillow

Try a calmingnighttime routineto help you adjust to your new sleep schedule.

Start with a hot bath or shower to relax you.

Try anti-snore technology

There are plenty of high-tech options designed to address the issue of snoring.

A woman with dark brown hair lies on her side staring at the back of a white alarm clock that shows the time as 2.30am

Many of this yearsbest smart bedsand mattresses include anti-snore technology.

This often means slightly raising the head of the bed.

Alternatively, there are also pillows designed to stop snoring.

Woman sleeping on a white bed

When should you consider a sleep divorce?

This guilt can lead to passive resentment or emotional distance between partners.

Continuous sleep deprivation can result in poor health, so its important you prioritize your wellbeing.

A woman with hay fever wipes stuffy nose in bed

If its louder, you may want to opt for separate rooms.

Dr Kaylor says a sleep divorce doesnt have to mean a loss of intimacy or connection in the relationship.

A woman with dark hair lies in bed yawning because she is so tired and ready to sleep

A man places a sleep apnea CPAP machine mask on his face, a Tom�s Guide Sleep Week 2025 graphic (right)

A woman is sat on the end of her bed with her head in her hands as she can�t sleep because of nighttime anxiety

A woman lies in bed with her hands covering her face, looking upset due to sleep deprivation. A Tom�s Guide Sleep Week 2025 graphic, bottom left

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