How To Stop Someone from Snoring (Without Waking Them Up)

Being awoken in the middle of the night by someone’s snoring is never fun, especially if you can’t get back to sleep.

The good news is that there are subtle ways to stop snoring — without a midnight elbow jab.

Below, we’ll walk you through how to stop someone from snoring without waking them up. We’ll also cover some long-term strategies so this doesn’t become your nightly routine.

Here’s the good news: there are quiet, no-drama ways to nudge snoring back into silence. These gentle tricks can help reduce or stop snoring without waking the person up (or making things worse).

Sleeping on your back is one of the worst things you can do for snoring.

Try softly nudging their shoulder or shifting their body to encourage side sleeping. Do not directly move your partner’s head or neck, as that can be dangerous. If it works, tuck a pillow behind their back to help them stay sleeping on their side.

If they went to bed with a nasal strip or internal nasal dilator, check if the device has slipped. If it has slipped or moved out of place, carefully re-centering it or adjusting it can restore your partner’s airflow through their nose. This should stop (or at least reduce) their snoring.

Mouth breathing is a big cause of snoring. Check to see if their mouth is open, and if it is, gently close it. Sometimes, a soft touch to their chin can encourage it to stay closed. Remember, don’t force anything — just a subtle guide may do the trick.

It is important to remember that these tips might not always work, and to be gentle. It is better to gently move and adjust things, rather than push or directly reposition. Try a few of these tricks together for the most effective results.

If the snorer isn’t stirring and our quick tricks didn’t work, try blocking out the sound of their snoring. 

Physically blocking out the noise is the most obvious and immediate solution. Earplugs can be surprisingly effective, too — especially foam or wax ones that mold to your ear shape. Make sure they are comfortable, and maybe try wearing them for a little while during the day to help you adjust to them so they aren’t weird and uncomfortable at bedtime.

A white noise machine or even a fan can help mask the sounds of snoring. You’ll be surprised at how much a dull pre-existing sound can help your brain block out the new and potentially disruptive noise of your beloved’s snoring.

This might not be ideal, but sometimes the best move for your sanity is a little distance. If you’ve got a guest room, a sufficiently comfortable couch, and a closed door between you, it can give you a shot at restful sleep.

There is no shame in getting a good rest, and the health of both you and your partner comes first. If this solution feels isolating, use it as a temporary fix while you work on a longer-term solution. 

Quick fixes can help, but if you’re struggling night after night, it might be time to look toward longer-term strategies and solutions.

Talking to your partner about their snoring and working together to find a way forward is the best course of action.

Side sleeping is one of the simplest ways to reduce snoring. There are plenty of side sleeping hacks to help get you started — from specially designed pillows to simple DIY solutions you can try tonight.

Special pillows like our Posiform Anti-Snore pillow are designed to keep sleepers comfortably on their sides, which helps open airways and reduce throat vibration.

A nasal dilator can be a big help for anyone who snores. If congestion is part of the problem, devices like internal nasal dilators or nasal strips can keep air moving through the nose, instead of the mouth. There are pros and cons to each, but a proper nasal dilator is the best option.

You can try out our Airflow Clip Nasal Dilator today and sleep better tonight!

Anti-snoring mouthpieces — a.k.a. mandibular advancement devices (MADs) — slightly reposition the jaw forward, which can keep the airway open and significantly reduce snoring. It’s a proven, non-invasive way to reduce and prevent snoring.

Try out ours, the Somnifit-S Anti-Snore Mouthguard+, and get relief from the first use.

Congestion — whether caused by allergies or illness — can be a huge snoring trigger. This is partly why you may snore more in some seasons than in others.

Solutions like humidifiers, allergy-friendly bedding, and even nasal rinses can significantly reduce the risk of snoring.

Learn more tips in our article on hay fever, allergies, and snoring. 

If your body is overtired or over-sedated, it can cause snoring. Cutting back on alcohol before bed, adjusting any sleep medication, prioritizing a regular sleep schedule, and managing weight can all reduce the pressure on airways that leads to snoring.

We’ll say it plainly: sometimes snoring isn’t just snoring.

If you notice any of the following, it might be a sign of sleep apnea, which is a condition that causes snoring and disrupted breathing throughout the night and can seriously impact health.

Red flags to watch for:

• Gasping or choking during sleep

• Loud and chronic snoring

• Long pauses between breaths

• Extreme daytime sleepiness, even with a full night in bed

Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more.

This isn’t about being annoying or dramatic — it’s about helping someone you care about protect their long-term health. 

We know that coping with your partner's snoring is tough, but you’re not powerless in the face of the snore-storm.

TL;DR:

Gentle, non-waking tricks like nudging, repositioning, adjusting nasal aids, and reducing mouth breathing can help stop or reduce snoring and bring back your peace and quiet — tonight.

Long-term? Better sleep positions, mouthguards, nasal airflow tools, and lifestyle changes can help stop snoring at the source.

Our online store has plenty of tools to help you and your bed partner.

Finally, if the snoring persists, seek medical help as it could be a sign of sleep apnea.

The content in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical advice or concerns about snoring, sleep disorders, or related health issues.