This leads to cortisol spikes right before sleep — and men may already be relaxing or sleeping during this time. Meanwhile, avoidantly attached men often sleep very deeply. “Safe” doesn’t mean physically unsafe — it means mentally unburdened. These micro-movements interrupt deep sleep, even if they don’t wake consciously. Men are less likely to mirror these reactions. Even mild snoring can create stress chemistry that takes minutes to settle — long after the sound stops.
Many heterosexual couples discover an uncomfortable truth: women often sleep worse when sharing a bed with their male partner. While this isn’t universal, research shows consistent patterns explaining why co-sleeping affects women more. This heightened sensitivity comes from evolutionary wiring: historically, women were more likely to wake to protect infants or respond to threats. Even today, a shifting or snoring partner can easily disrupt their sleep.
