Why Splitting Up Beds Might Be the Key to a Healthier, Happier Relationship

We all know that sleep is crucial for total wellness.

With more and more people putting sleep first, increasingly couples are opting for "sleep divorces."

For those new to this, this involves selecting distinct options. beds Or create separate sleeping areas for your partner to enhance sleep quality.

Several celebrities, including comedian Katherine Ryan , have mentioned the advantages of being apart from their partner... when it comes to sleeping.

On the latest an episode from her podcast titled "What's My Age Again" On Tuesday, when she appeared on the show, Ryan discussed sleeping arrangements with her guest Bryony Gordon, who mentioned, "I value my sleep. In my opinion, sharing a bed with your spouse is overrated."

Ryan subsequently disclosed that she often sleeps in the nursery with her children at night.

When Gordon enquired whether she shared a bed with her husband, Ryan responded: "I would. However, he tends to snore quite loudly. Occasionally, he sweats during his sleep as well. Although I generally prefer sleeping solo, I'd be open to sharing again eventually. Yet, considering our young kids often disturb my rest throughout the night, I find myself sleeping in their room—pretty much acting like the bloody dog from Peter Pan."

We're curious about why numerous couples are choosing a sleep separation and whether individual sleeping arrangements can lead to better rest, so we've sought advice from leading sleep specialists to uncover the details...

What are the common causes for partners choosing to sleep apart?

High-quality sleep is essential for both your bodily functions and mental health. wellbeing ", enhancing energy levels, boosting mood, and fostering better general well-being," asserts Dr Hana Patel, an NHS General Practitioner and in-house sleep specialist. Time4Sleep A sleep separation may assist partners in tackling possible disturbances to their slumber. snoring or restlessness.

If you're noticing that sharing a bed with your partner consistently leads to ongoing sleep deprivation, and this is negatively impacting your health and well-being, it might be worth thinking about a sleep separation.

According to research by the National Sleep Foundation, snoring is the top disturbance affecting a good night’s sleep. National Bed Federation .

According to a study carried out by The Sleep Council in 2009, fewer than one in ten couples (7 percent) slept in separate beds, indicating that the prevalence of independent sleep arrangements has approximately doubled over the last ten years.

"This study also revealed that 38 percent of men and 36 percent of women cited snoring as the top reason for a 'sleep divorce,'" according to the report. Dr Ryan Cheong , an ENT ( Ear, Nose, Throat ) specialist and sleep surgeon at Cleveland Clinic London.

Nevertheless, other elements like squirming may also interfere with shared sleeping arrangements.

If your bedmate is restless or moves frequently, or if both of you have differing sleep habits, these elements might interfere with the quality of your rest," observes Cheong. "Additionally, if your companion has markedly distinct preferences regarding their sleeping conditions—such as room temperature, lighting levels, mattress firmness, or fabric choices—that could also pose a problem.

At what point should one consider seeking assistance for their snoring?

Typically, when working with my patients, I focus on enhancing their co-sleeping arrangements and finding methods to alleviate snoring symptoms," explains Cheong. "Improvements in snoring can be achieved through changes in lifestyle such as dietary adjustments and physical activity, along with using tools like mandibular advancement devices.

However, indications such as noisy snoring, sounds of gasping or choking at night, along with feelings of fatigue during the day and changes in mood might point towards a potentially severe condition known as sleep apnea.

It is believed that around eight million individuals in the UK suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, which can substantially increase the risks of conditions such as strokes and heart attacks," cautions Cheong. "Various treatment options are available, including hypoglossal nerve implants. Genio Nyxoah and the Inspire implants Trials carried out by me and my team have demonstrated improvements in patients' sleep apnea as well as reducing snoring for their bed partners."

Are there any studies indicating that we actually sleep better when accompanied by another person?

“ Research Indications show a 10% rise in REM sleep during shared sleeping," says Cheong. "The reasoning behind this could relate to our evolutionary history as social beings; humans naturally gravitate towards companionship, and sharing a bed with a partner provides a feeling of safety.

How might partners enhance their joint sleeping space for better rest?

“Ensure that you are having good discussions about your sleeping schedules and are optimising your sleeping environment,” advises Cheong. “Make sure that the room is as dark as possible, for example.

Reduced temperatures may also contribute to a better night's rest. Therefore, keep an eye on the temperature, the composition of the mattress, the fabric of the blanket, as well as your sleeping companion's preferences.

What advice do you have for suggesting a sleep separation to your significant other?

"As long as the conversation and the request stem from a place of respect, love, and comprehension, it’s more probable that your partner will react positively when the topic is addressed," according to Cheong.

Patel concurs and elaborates: "Should you believe that a sleep separation might be advantageous, talk about this concept with your spouse and give it a trial run for a brief duration to determine if it suits you."

Although some might think that a sleep separation could undermine intimate moments between partners, it actually has the potential to boost intimacy and improve the overall sexual relationship, especially among couples who have been together for a longer time. Better rest leads to higher energy and enhanced moods, which play crucial roles in fostering a robust libido.

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