It might seem unusual at first, but the concept of ‘sleep divorce’ is gaining traction, as recent research from the University of Michigan suggests that couples sleeping apart can be more beneficial for a disruption-free eight-hour sleep.
According to a survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, one in three Americans are opting for separate sleeping arrangements to improve health and relationships.
For some couples ‘sleep divorce’ is a strategy they use to avoid actual divorce by sleeping in separate rooms. This arrangement caters to differing sleep habits, like varying preferences for room temperature or different sleep schedules, and is becoming increasingly recognized as a healthy way to respect each other’s sleep preferences and ensure a good night’s sleep.
The idea of having conversations about sleeping in separate rooms as a beneficial practice is relatively new, and its popularity is growing.
What Sleep Divorce helps avoid
“Sleep divorce” is a term coined to describe the increasingly popular choice among couples to sleep in separate beds while sharing a home. This choice, often misunderstood as a sign of relationship issues, is actually a practical and scientifically-backed decision.
Diverse sleep habits between partners can greatly affect their overall sleep quality. Some of the prevalent reasons for opting for sleep divorce include the following.
Snoring:
The snoring of one partner can lead to significant sleep disruption for the other, resulting in sleep deprivation.
Different Sleep Timings:
A mismatch in sleep schedules, where one partner is a night owl and the other an early bird, can interfere with their shared sleeping routine.
Sleep Movement:
Partners who have a habit of moving frequently during sleep, or those who suffer from conditions like restless leg syndrome, can unintentionally disturb the sleep of their partner.
Medical Conditions:
Sleep Apnea is characterized by loud snoring and irregular breathing, which can be both a concern and a disturbance for the other person in bed.
In such scenarios, the decision to sleep separately, whether it be in different beds or rooms, proves to be advantageous. This approach not only improves individual sleep quality but also contributes positively to the overall well-being and harmony of the relationship.
