{"id":3645,"date":"2020-02-25T15:53:12","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T15:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/?p=3645"},"modified":"2020-02-25T15:53:12","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T15:53:12","slug":"time-for-a-sleep-divorce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/blog\/time-for-a-sleep-divorce\/","title":{"rendered":"Time for a Sleep Divorce"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"It<\/p>\n

You like a firm mattress. He prefers a pillow top. You stick to your share of the comforter. She monopolizes it like a zero-sum game. If these or other nighttime disturbances and sleep differences are keeping you awake, it might be time to consider a sleep divorce.<\/p>\n

So, What Is a Sleep Divorce?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s not as dramatic as it sounds. A sleep divorce just means you\u2019ve agreed to sleep in separate spaces for the sake of getting deeper, more healthy sleep. And it\u2019s surprisingly common. According to our research, more than 25% of couples<\/a> are opting for this arrangement. For some, that might mean moving into individual beds in the same room; for others, it could mean sleeping in different rooms to maximize those 40 winks.<\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t That Going a Little Too Far?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Think Lucy and Ricky Ricardo slept in matching twin beds because of strict network television censorship alone? Think again. Believe it or not, as recently as the 1960s nodding off in separate beds was considered in vogue. And if that seems strange, consider that prior to modern times whole families and often their livestock would hit the hay in one place to stay warm and conserve space. Throughout the eras, whatever worked best seems to have been the rule of thumb.<\/p>\n

Danger: Snoring May Lead to Separation<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Hoping your love alone will get you through the night? Studies show that over time the benefits of sleeping together can turn negative if healthy sleep is sacrificed. A 2016 study conducted by Paracelsus Private Medical University in Nuremberg, Germany found that sleep issues and relationship problems tend to happen at the same time. Chainsaw snoring that keeps one person up won\u2019t be easily forgiven and forgotten the next morning. Even seemingly smaller incompatibilities like amount of lighting, mismatched schedules or temperature preferences can build up resentment and lead to conflict.<\/p>\n

Good, Quality Sleep Matters<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

That animosity isn\u2019t unfounded. We all need good sleep to be at our best. Deep, restorative sleep is essential for short-term and long-term health. When we sleep well at night, our body gets to work healing and repairing itself, promoting healthy cognitive functioning and bolstering and supporting our immunity. Without it, a host of issues can emerge. Poor sleep and sleep deprivation can lead to lowered immunity, depression<\/a>, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, emotional health issues and even car accidents.<\/p>\n

Heading to Sleep Splitsville<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

No matter what you decide, it\u2019s important that you\u2019re both happy with the situation and feel respected. If you decide to pursue a bedroom breakup, try following the points below:<\/p>\n