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Topics: Sleep, Sex and Relationships, Science, Health
Ella Scott
Topics: Sleep, Sex and Relationships, Science, Health
Experts claim getting a ‘sleep divorce’ from your significant other could improve your relationship, but the internet isn’t convinced.
According to research conducted last year by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), a whopping 29 percent of US residents are opting to sleep separately from their partners.
This wellbeing practice has been dubbed a ‘sleep divorce’ and is particularly favoured by millennials.
The 2023 report was drawn up after the AASM surveyed 2,005 adults online, with one-third of participants claiming they either occasionally or consistently sleep in separate rooms.
Interestingly, almost half (43 percent) of millennials elected to sleep in another room to accommodate their bed partner while 33 percent of Generation X would do the same.
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Baby boomers were least likely to get a ‘sleep divorce’ from their partners, with only 22 percent claiming they’d kip somewhere else.
Furthermore, it was discovered that males are more likely to take the sofa or the guest room, while only 25 percent of surveyed women said they would do the same.
Speaking about the startling results, Dr. Seema Khosla, pulmonologist and spokesperson for the AASM, said: “We know that poor sleep can worsen your mood, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to argue with their partners.
“There may be some resentment toward the person causing the sleep disruption which can negatively impact relationships.
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“Getting a good night’s sleep is important for both health and happiness, so it’s no surprise that some couples choose to sleep apart for their overall wellbeing.”
Speaking about the coined term ‘sleep divorce’, Khosla explained that it just means people are prioritising their beauty sleep.
However, they warned that if loud snoring was a factor in the ‘sleep divorce’ then it may be best to seek medical attention.
“If it is one partner’s loud snoring that is leading to separate sleep spaces, then you should encourage that partner to talk to a doctor about obstructive sleep apnea,” they explained. “This applies to both men and women who may snore.”
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts, according to Mayo Clinic.
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There are different types of the disorder but all have symptoms including; loud snoring, morning headaches, insomnia, irritability and difficulty paying attention while awake.
It’s said that while loud snoring can be a clear indicator of sleep apnea, not every sufferer creates the harsh sound.
Therefore, it’s best to book in with a healthcare professional if you exhibit other symptoms of sleep apnea.
Following the results being published online, social media users have been having their say on the ‘sleep divorce’ trend.
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One user of X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote: “The day Wifey says, ‘Move into another bedroom, hubby, you snore too much / steal the covers / are too hot, you know it's over. It's OVAH.”
A second wrote that sleeping in a separate bed from their significant other was ‘the best thing [we] ever did’.
“I mean there are benefits to being single too, what's the point,” queried someone else.
“Yeah they get to spend time talking to their next relationship in peace….f**k around if you wish,” replied another user.
A fifth social media user typed: “Definitely! Truer words never spoken! It works for us!”