How to Deal with a Snoring Roommate

It's safe to say that sharing space with a snoring roommate is a challenge. Your roomie may be the best during waking hours, but leave you wondering how to deal with a snoring roommate at night.

The good news is there are steps you can take short of moving out. Try these tips if your roommate snores.

Communicate about the issue. Your roommate may be totally unaware that he or she snores. Letting them know about the issue in a caring way may help them decide to seek help. Snoring is sometimes a symptom of a health issue like sleep apnea or allergies.
Suggest simple remedies. If you already talked to your roommate and he or she seems open to suggestions, you can offer a few simple ideas to help them stop snoring. They could include investing in a new pillow, changing his or her sleeping position, cutting out alcohol before bed, kicking a smoking habit, turning on a humidifier at night, and using nasal strips that open the air passageways.
Hit the hay before your snoring roommate. Some people find it's easier to fall asleep before their snoring roommate because they don't get worked up about waiting to hear those first snores.
Use earplugs. A good pair of earplugs can reduce noise by 35 decibels. That may be just what you need to deal with a snoring roommate.
Listen to something relaxing. Many people find relief from a snoring roommate by listening to soothing music, nature sounds, white noise, and more. If you decide to go this route, it's worth investing in high-quality comfortable headphones like SleepPhones® headphones. As the world's most comfortable headphones for relaxing, SleepPhones® headphones feature flat speakers in a soft stretchy headband. Check out our most popular models below!

Is it rude to wake up someone who is snoring?

As many people who've been in this situation know, it can be tricky! As snoring is an involuntary action and not done on purpose, interrupting someone else's sleep can often be considered rude. The most important factor to consider when determining if a snorer should be woken up is your relationship with that person. For example, waking up a spouse is completely different than waking up a stranger on a plane. Another factor to consider is the frequency and severity of the snoring. A single snort might not be worth waking up the offender whereas consistently loud snoring which disrupts your sleep is a different story.

Before waking up a snorer, it is suggested trying solutions such as earplugs, a white noise machine, or SleepPhones®. If those do not work, saying something might be the next step. It is crucial, however, to approach the situation with tact and understanding as the culprit may become embarrassed or defensive. Ideally, this conversation should happen during waking hours which should allow for a calmer and more productive discussion. Remember to offer solutions (trying a different sleeping position, using a humidifier, or speaking with their doctor to address any potential underlying conditions) and not just complaints.

Find more at our resource page dedicated to Snoring.