(WWJ) - Having trouble sleeping?
Forget taking pills or skipping caffeine. Instead, reach for something that smells like your partner.
The scent of your romantic partner can lead to better sleep, according to research from the University of British Columbia.
Study participants who slept with a t-shirt that smelled like their partner experienced less tossing and turning and felt more well-rested, even though their partner was not physically present. The effect is so significant, researchers say it compares to taking oral melatonin supplements, which are often used as sleep aids.
Researchers says it may be because a romantic partner is associated with positive health outcomes such as a sense of safety, calm and relaxation, which in turn leads to better sleep.
The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.