How the 'Scandinavian sleep method' can help improve your relationship
Sleep. It’s something we all want more of, yet sometimes struggle to get – especially if we share a bed with a duvet hogger.
Enter, the Scandinavian sleep method.
As the name implies, the method for sleep hails from our Scandinavian neighbours and has recently gone viral on TikTok with users praising the method for helping them sleep better and even improving their relationships.
"In Copenhagen not once did [my husband and I] sleep with one duvet, it was always two twins, and we slept so well," TikTok user Erica Stolman Dowdy said in a video that has been viewed over 6.2 million times.
"No one is fighting over blankets, no one is too hot or too cold, it’s absolutely amazing. This is just absolutely the comfiest way to sleep, it could save marriages."
What is the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’?
In its simplest form, the Scandinavian sleep method is about switching out one king or queen-sized duvet on your bed for two twin duvets instead.
Yet, sleep expert Dr Veronika Matutyte says that the method isn’t just about the two separate duvets, but rather the embodiment of the Scandinavian ethos of 'lagom', which means balance and moderation.
Read more: Is napping ever a good idea? How to nap without damaging your health (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
"Just as [Scandinavians] design their lives around balance, so do they approach sleep," Dr Matutyte says. "The method supports the notion that individual comfort shouldn't be compromised for shared intimacy.
"It's rooted in their culture of prioritising individual well-being for collective harmony. The cold climate is a factor, but it's also about respecting individual needs. There's an implicit understanding that by ensuring personal comfort, the couple thrives."
Dr Matutyte adds that sleep disturbances often happen due to 'micro-awakenings', or the brief moments when either you or the person you are sharing your bed with adjust positions, tuck in our blankets or simply toss and turn.
"By having separate duvets, you drastically reduce these disturbances," she explains. "No longer is there a subconscious tension about moving freely, lest you snatch away your partner's share of the blanket."
The Scandinavian sleep method can improve relationships
If you’re not quite ready for a 'sleep divorce' – a method that sees you sleep in a completely separate room and bed to your partner – then using the Scandinavian sleep method could be a good compromise.
Read more: Eating in bed, snoring and temperature disagreements – is it time for a sleep divorce? (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
"Physical intimacy is vital, but so is personal autonomy," Dr Matutyte says. "The Scandinavian sleep method respects both. By reducing nighttime disruptions, couples often report feeling more rested, and this can directly translate to reduced irritability and better daytime interactions. Think about it: how many times have minor disagreements been exacerbated due to sheer exhaustion?
"Paradoxically, by ensuring individual comfort, many couples report increased feelings of closeness. There's less nighttime frustration, leading to improved daytime interaction."
Benefits of the Scandinavian sleep method
Besides potentially improving relationships, some other benefits of the Scandinavian sleep method can include better sleep quality, more autonomy over how you sleep, and better mood.
Read more: Expert reveals the worst sleeping position – and how to stop doing it (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
"Sleep quality directly affects cognitive function. By reducing nighttime disturbances, there's potential for improved focus and decision-making as well as improved mood and emotional stability," Dr Matutyte says.
"By having separate duvets, each partner can choose materials suitable for their allergies, sensitivities, or specific needs," she adds. "It's the little changes that make the most significant difference.
"We focus so much on diet, exercise, and mental health but often neglect the one-third of our life spent asleep. Embracing practices like the Scandinavian sleep method can be that subtle shift that improves multiple facets of your life."
Watch: UK mum slams co-sleeping criticism of sharing a bed with her family of four
