* A surprising one-third (34%) of Britons report better sleep quality since starting an affair.
* Of those whose sleep improved, nearly three-quarters (72%) say they sleep best right after meeting or messaging their lover.
* Experts believe the surge in ‘feel-good’ hormones from excitement calms underlying marital stress.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site
It’s often assumed that an affair is a high-stress endeavor that would leave a person consumed by guilt and plagued by sleepless nights. However, new research suggests the opposite is true for a significant portion of the population: infidelity may actually be improving their rest.
According to a new poll of 2,500 users conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, a shocking 34% of Brits say their quality of sleep has improved significantly since beginning their affair.
Only 18% reported worsened sleep, while 48% stated their sleep patterns remained unchanged. The results defy the conventional wisdom that cheating is a guaranteed recipe for stress and insomnia.
The survey drilled down into the habits of those who are now sleeping soundly. A compelling 72% of those with improved sleep quality said they sleep best immediately after meeting or messaging their lover, with 37% reporting that they fall asleep faster on those nights. This suggests the positive effect is directly linked to the emotional charge of the illicit relationship.
Sarah*, a 45-year-old user who reported improved sleep in the survey, explained her experience: “My marriage had become completely lifeless. We weren’t fighting, but we weren’t talking either. When I started my affair, it was like a complete release. I felt desired and excited again. I stopped staring at the ceiling, thinking about all the things wrong with my life, and started sleeping like a baby because I was genuinely happier.”
Jessica Leoni, sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, commented on the results saying, “This data shatters the myth that affairs are solely a source of anxiety. In fact, at this point, the NHS might want to start prescribing discreet affairs as a sleep remedy – though we suspect they’d struggle with the paperwork. For many, the primary relationship is the real source of stress and loneliness – two of the biggest drivers of insomnia. An affair can serve as an emotional release valve.”
“The excitement, the feeling of being desired, and the simple act of being truly seen by someone can quiet a restless mind,” Leoni adds. “It provides a powerful psychological boost that, for one in three, literally lulls them into a deeper, more restful sleep. The affair isn’t what’s keeping them awake – it’s what’s helping them switch off.”
* Name has been changed
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