Adding more clutter and filling the hides may help, and probably will. However, if not, you may have to show your wife this thread and convince her to consider a temporary switch to a smaller enclosure like a tub. The animal's health is top priority.
I'm actually talking to her today. I think we are going to go pick up a 20g tank for him today. I did exactly that. I don't know if he will ever need a 40g tank. But if he does, I got him covered!