avatarKiki Wellington

Summary

Sleeping naked may improve sleep quality, but sharing a bed with a partner can lead to sleep disturbances, prompting some couples to consider "sleep divorce" for better rest.

Abstract

Research by Intellibed indicates that a majority of people who sleep in the nude report higher quality sleep compared to those wearing pajamas. However, sleeping next to a partner can negatively impact sleep due to factors such as snoring, different sleep schedules, and tossing and turning. Despite the preference for sleeping alongside a partner, many are willing to make compromises like sleeping in separate beds or buying a larger mattress to enhance sleep quality. A study by SleepStandards reveals that a significant number of participants experience worse sleep when sharing a bed, with various partner-related disturbances cited as the cause. Some individuals resort to "sleep divorce," sleeping separately from their partner, which can lead to health benefits such as decreased stress and improved mood and brain functionality. While the idea of a legal divorce due to sleep issues may seem extreme, the concept of "sleep divorce" is becoming a more accepted solution for better sleep and, consequently, healthier relationships.

Opinions

  • Colin House suggests that numerous factors can disrupt sleep, and he cautions against the plethora of products that promise to solve sleep issues without necessarily delivering.
  • Carolyn Dean, MD, believes that avoiding sleep disruptions by sleeping separately from one's partner can significantly improve sleep quality, leading to lower stress levels, better mood, increased endurance, improved focus, and enhanced overall brain functionality.
  • The article implies that while romance and physical closeness are important in a relationship, they should not come at the expense of quality sleep, which is essential for overall health and well-being.
  • The studies suggest that a considerable number of couples are open to unconventional sleeping arrangements, such as separate beds or bedrooms, to achieve a better night's sleep, indicating a shift in societal norms regarding co-sleeping in relationships.

Do You Go to Bed Naked? You May Sleep Better If You Do

But sleeping next to your partner may keep you up at night

Photo by everett225 on DepositPhotos

Pajamas may be comfortable, especially in the colder months, but research by Intellibed found that people who go to bed naked actually get better sleep. In a survey of 2,000 people, researchers found that 53 percent of respondents said they get high-quality sleep when they’re in the buff, compared to the 27 percent of those who wear pajamas.

If you think sleeping nude may be a good way to not only get more rest, but more romance, think again. Although 56 percent of those surveyed said they do prefer sleeping next to their partner, a significant portion of them have compromised on the type of mattress they use, which has led to sleeping on a product they don’t like — and their sleep quality is suffering for it.

“There are endless factors that can keep people up at night….” — Colin House

But mattresses do not appear to be the only culprit keeping people awake when they’re next to the one they love. In another study by SleepStandards, around 1,000 people were asked about the quality of their sleep when they’re in the same bed as their partner, and 75 percent reported they had worse quality sleep than they did when they were in bed alone. Several factors contributed to their bad night’s sleep, including:

  • Partner’s snoring (53 percent)
  • Having a different sleep schedule than partner (41 percent)
  • Partner tossing and turning while asleep (36 percent)
  • Partner’s struggles falling asleep (17 percent)
  • Partner’s electronic devices (15 percent)
  • Partner’s sleep disorder (5 percent)

Additionally, Intellibed found that sleeping in a warm or cold room can impact the quality of our slumber.

“There are endless factors that can keep people up at night, and we’re bombarded with products from weighted blankets to sound machines with empty promises of solving sleep issues,” said Intellibed CEO Colin House.

Photo by everett225 on DepositPhotos

But some couples have other ideas to remedy this problem. SleepStandards found that in order to get a better night’s sleep, participants are willing to:

  • Sleep in separate beds (35 percent)
  • Buy a bigger bed (48 percent)
  • Use separate blankets (25 percent)
  • Coordinate sleep schedules (24 percent)
  • Sleep with pets (13 percent)

Those who end up sleeping in separate beds from their partner go through what is called a “sleep divorce.” However, there are some people who would actually go through a legal divorce if the sleep problems aren’t solved. In fact, 10 percent of respondents considered ending their relationship because of the sleep issues and three percent actually did.

“Improved sleep quality allows the brain to repair and recharge, and lowers stress levels.” — Carolyn Dean

Although getting a legal divorce because of sleep disturbances may be a bit extreme, there are benefits to packing up and leaving.

The bedroom, that is.

In fact, according to Carolyn Dean, MD, in an interview with Health magazine, one of the major benefits of sleeping in a separate room from your partner includes avoiding sleep disruptions that can wake you up in the middle of the night and make it difficult to fall back to sleep — which can go a long way toward improving overall health.

“Improved sleep quality allows the brain to repair and recharge, and lowers stress levels,” Dean explained. “It also decreases daytime tiredness; improves mood, endurance, and focus; and improves brain functionality as a whole. This is likely to improve relationships — not just with your significant other but with friends, co-workers, etc.”

More from Kiki Wellington:

Sources:

Anderer, J. (2020, May 15). ‘Sleep Divorces’ On The Rise? 35% Of Couples Want Separate Beds, Survey Finds. Study Finds. https://www.studyfinds.org/sleep-divorces-on-the-rise-35-of-couples-want-separate-beds-survey-finds/

Gillespie, C. (2020, April 6). What Is a Sleep Divorce and Should You Get One? Health. https://www.health.com/relationships/what-is-sleep-divorce

Melore, C. (2021, November 2). People who sleep naked twice as likely to have a good night’s rest! Study Finds. https://www.studyfinds.org/sleeping-naked-good-sleep/

Sleep And Relationship In The United States (2020 Data). Sleep Standards. https://sleepstandards.com/sleep-and-relationship/

Relationships
Sleep
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep Divorce
Sleep Science
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