Men turned on by turning back clock

Women prefer to sleep during that extra hour of daylight saving time

By JOANNE RICHARD, Special to Sun Media

Here’s something to sleep on: What to do with the extra precious hour of snooze time we’ll be gaining as clocks are turned back this Saturday night?

Well, men want sex and woman want sleep.

In fact, 57% of men chose extra sex versus just 32% of women, reveals research by the Better Sleep Council Canada. And nearly twice as many women than men chose to use that hour for sleep.

“The battle of the sexes has become a battle over sleep or sex,” says couples counsellor Karen Hirscheimer. “This is a common theme in many relationships, and left unchecked it can turn the bedroom into more of a battleground than a love den.”

Seems we’re just too tired to tango – we’re an increasingly sleep-deprived culture and relationships are fatigued. Canadians complain that their sex lives are stale and 45% say having more time would make their sex lives sizzle. But not this hour!

According to poll results, when gender differences were put aside, overall Canadians were equally divided with 44% preferring sleep and 44% opting for sex.

Hirscheimer says it’s a vicious relationship cycle. A bad night’s sleep kills the libido – 58% of women say they are less interested in sex after a poor night’s sleep compared to 43% of men. And not having sex diminishes energy and closeness.

And bad sleep behaviour is a major culprit: a whopping 81% of Canadians say they are disrupted by their partner’s sleep behaviour, and 73% say their relationship is affected by a poor night’s sleep. Almost one third are already sleeping separately - in a separate bed or on the couch - to get a better night’s sleep

“In a healthy relationship, sleep and sex should work together,” says Hirscheimer. Sleep is essential for health and a healthy relationship. “Sleep deprivation is a huge problem.”

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Meanwhile, turn it off to turn it on. Get rid of the TV, laptop, cell phone and stationary bike. Make your bedroom a sanctuary from life’s demands and it may heat things up.

“Your bedroom should be designed for sleep and sex, that’s it,” says Hirscheimer, adding that a comfortable bed promotes good sleep and good sex.

According to the survey, 11% think a bigger bed would lead to better sex.