Is Sleeping in Separate Beds the Key to Better Sleep?
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Time to read 3 min
Sleeping in separate beds is big in Japan
According to a study at the University of Toronto, about 30-40% of couples in Japan sleep separately, compared to 9% of British couples. In western culture, sleeping apart is seen as a sign that your relationship is going so well, so why do so many Japanese couples swear by it?
Benefits of sleeping separately
The upsides of sleeping in separate beds will vary between couples, but the most commonly reported benefits include:
- avoiding your partner's snoring
- personal space and finding it easier to get into a comfier sleeping position
- going to bed when you feel tired without disrupting your partner
- not being annoyed by tossing and turning
- reduced irritation from your partner
- reported improvement in quality and duration of sleep.
According to data collected by The Sleep Foundation, 52.9% of participants who trialled a "sleep divorce" with their partners said the quality of their sleep improved overall.
25.7% of those who tried a sleep divorce ended up sharing a bed with their partner again. Does this mean the experiment failed? Well, arguably not. 34.9% of those who recoupled said they did so because they missed one another, so perhaps absence made the heart grow fonder, if you're not constantly dealing with your partner's snoring or tossing and turning.
Interestingly, enhanced intimacy is a commonly reported benefit of sleep divorce. Rather than driving couples apart, giving each other space means you can enjoy their company more with more limited time in the same space.
Do experts recommend sleeping apart?
Not everyone may enjoy the concept of a sleep divorce. Some people have reported downsides of the experiment, notably:
- loneliness in an empty bed, worsening mood
- lack of intimacy and warmth
- worse quality sleep when alone
- cost and hastle of extra room and bed
Whether or not sleeping in separate beds will differ from person to person. Speaking to The Sleep Foundation, medical advisory board member Wendy M. Troxel, Ph.D. suggests being transparent and communicative with your partner about your sleep needs. This is what she calls forming a "sleep alliance," and sees it as "pro-relationship behaviour."
The key is to be open with one another and not take offence if one opts to improve their sleep by going to bed alone. This also means being honest if one finds out the sleep divorce concept doesn't work for them.
Is there a halfway for sleeping in separate beds?
If snoring is a key problem for your relationship, then earplugs or nasal strips are a good way to go. If snoring problems persist, seeking medical advice to test and diagnose sleep apnoea may be worthwile. If one party likes cuddling up and the other likes personal space, a body pillow may create a happy medium.
In general, both parties practicing good sleep hygiene is important to improve the quality and duration of your sleep. This will help both of you drift off quickly, and those little annoyances over the other when trying to sleep should soon feel insignificant.
Around a third of couples in Japan sleep in separate beds.
Many people report a "sleep divorce" improved their overall sleep quality.
Others, however, felt they sleep worse alone.
FAQs
How many couples in the UK sleep apart?
An estimated 9% of the UK population sleeps in a separate bed from their partner, according to reports.
Are nasal strips effective in stopping snoring?
Nasals trips can prove effective in average level, casual snoring. Those with snoring-related conditions like sleep apnoea will not be cured by them.
The Myza Editorial Team
The Myza Editorial Team works together to create and curate The Sleep Journal, a series of blog posts designed to help our customers with frequently asked questions and curiosities regarding everything in the world of sleep, from sleeping positions to skin and hair care. We also provide regular shopping guides, interviews, and reviews to provide insight into our hand-picked brand collaborations and the benefits they have to offer.
