Are you heading for a sleep divorce?
If you’ve ever gotten up in the middle of the night, so sick of your partner’s snoring that even the couch seems like a better option – don’t worry because you are not alone.
And while the thought of sleeping separate from your other half may seem like a bad thing, it could actually prove to be just what you need.
If your partner’s bad bedtime habits keep you awake, affecting your relationship in the daytime, or if your health is suffering from a lack of sleep – short of buying yourself a pair of Bose Sleepbuds, a sleep divorce might be the solution.
A recent survey revealed a third of us are kept awake by our partner’s annoying sleep habits every single night. And 25 per cent claimed snoring was one of the most common reasons for arguments with their partner.
“This is very concerning, as a lack of sleep can lead to problems such as weight gain, lowered sex drive, a weakened immune system and mood swings to name but a few,” sleep expert Steve Adams tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
“The continued effects of disrupted sleep every single night can cause these issues to worsen. When your physical and mental health could be at stake – it could be worth finding out whether you would benefit from separate sleeping arrangements.“
Of the 1000 people surveyed in the UK by Mattress Online, a quarter said they would consider sleeping in a separate bed from their partner for a good nights sleep.
Apparently the magic number is 11 – after 11 years of putting up with snoring, 66 per cent of participants called for a sleep divorce.
“Annoying habits such as snoring and hogging the duvet can often make sleeping next to a partner seem like a chore,” Steve tells us.
“It’s important to bear in mind that communication is always the most important tool in a relationship and discussing any issues can help both partners to be more mindful. This is especially true for irritations which can easily be avoided, such as using mobile devices at night.”
It seems couples are realising they need more sleep for the sake of their health and that the time apart from a nightmare sleep situation really can make the heart grow fonder.
So you shouldn’t fear that a sleep divorce could actually lead to the real thing. And you can always go back to sharing a bed if you don’t find it’s working for you.
“A sleep divorce doesn’t need to be a permanent thing. You could trial it for a few days a week, sleep apart during the week or have set days that you sleep separately,” Steve says.
“Having time apart and avoiding each other’s annoying habits, is actually likely to make the relationship stronger. As being well rested leads to a more level temperament, you’re likely to enjoy each other’s company better in the day.
“It could also make you remember the things that you love about sleeping next to your partner, and let you enjoy your time sleeping in the same bed.
“The tradition of sleeping in the same bed doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s important to remember all relationships are different so no one should feel that just because they aren’t doing the ‘norm’ that their relationship is going to fail.”
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