7 Bedroom Behaviors That can Kill Your Marriage

The time you spend with your spouse right before you drift off to sleep is arguably the most important interaction you'll have all day. Below, relationship experts share seven bedtime mistakes couples often make -- and how to get back on track.

1. Going to bed at different times. 
Sorry, night owl/early bird couples: Differing sleep schedules may seem like no big thing, but it's more harmful than you realize.If you're going to bed at separate times, there may be more to it than meets the eye, A conflict or grudge might exist that you need to talk about earlier in the day.


2. Being inconsiderate of your spouse's schedule. 
If your late night TV or texting habits are getting in the way of your spouse's rest, it may be time to move the flatscreen or smartphone out of the bedroom."One husband I counseled was a physician and had to be at the hospital by 6 a.m. every week day. He pleaded with his wife, a stay-at-home mom, to not watch TV when he was trying to get a good night’s sleep but she wanted to keep it on all night as background noise," Whetstone recalled. "Despite every effort ­-- like suggesting she get headphones or he get earplugs and blinders for his eyes -- nothing brought him peace and she would not budge. A few years later, they divorced."

3. Saying nothing -- or very little -- to each other before bed.
After a long day of work and looking after the kids, who can blame you for wanting to jump into bed and call it a night? Still, it's worth trying to carve out some time to emotionally reconnect with your spouse.Always take the time to talk about the highlights and low points of your day because it will save your marriage.

4. Prioritizing screen time over quality time with your spouse. 
Do yourself a favor and escort your smartphone out of the room before you head to bed. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and texts should always take a backseat to your spouse, but especially before bed.Taking a tablet or phone to bed with you harms your relationship in two ways: First, it isolates you emotionally from each other,Secondly, when we're on electronic device shortly before sleep, the stimulation from the screen tends to keep you awake. With insufficient sleep, we’re likely to be less patient, kind and tolerant toward our partner the next day.

5. Self-grooming in bed.
Save the grooming regimen for the bathroom.Nothing kills romance quite like an errant toenail flicking you in the face.

6. Putting physical intimacy on the back burner.
Starting to feel more like roommates than spouses? If one of you is avoiding coming to bed or is seemingly disinterested in sex, talk through your issues before you hit the sheets.If it goes on like this,the marriage will die in no time.

7. Going to bed angry. 
You shouldn't abruptly end an argument just because it's late and you're both tired. But allowing unresolved conflicts or misunderstandings to fester time and time again isn't good for your marriage either.
There is a good reason for the saying, 'Don’t go to bed angry," Instead, do your best to clear up issues well before bed time, so when you’re ready to turn in for the night you’ll both want to communicate lovingly, in words, tone and actions.

Written by Brittany Wong