Quickie: Is a Sleep Divorce a Good Idea?

Summary

Recent research suggests that couples may not benefit from sleeping in separate beds, as sharing a bed with a partner is associated with better sleep quality, reduced sleep disorders, and improved mental health.

Abstract

A study published in the journal Sleep indicates that couples who sleep together experience more restorative sleep and are less likely to suffer from sleep disorders compared to those who sleep alone. The research, based on data from over a thousand working-age adults in southeastern Pennsylvania, reveals that co-sleeping partners have a lower risk of sleep apnea and insomnia, and enjoy an overall improvement in sleep quality. Beyond sleep health, the study also found that individuals who share a bed with their partner report lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as higher relationship and life satisfaction. These findings challenge the notion of "sleep divorce," where couples opt to sleep separately for better rest, and instead suggest that sleeping together could have significant health benefits.

Opinions

Lead researcher Brandon Fuentes emphasizes the great benefits of sleeping with a romantic partner or spouse on sleep health, including reduced risks of sleep apnea, insomnia severity, and overall improvements in sleep quality.
Study author Dr. Michael Grandner notes the importance of considering how sleeping with a partner, family member, or pet may impact sleep health, suggesting that this aspect of our sleeping arrangements could be more significant than previously thought.
The study's results imply that couples who have undergone a sleep divorce might want to reconsider and aim for a sleep reconciliation to reap the potential health benefits of co-sleeping.

Is it time to give up on separate bedrooms?

Although many couples have opted for a sleep divorce because they feel like it’s more conducive to a good night of slumber, according to a recent study in Sleep, it may not be a long-term solution for better sleep or better overall health.

“Sleeping with a romantic partner or spouse shows to have great benefits on sleep health….” — Brandon Fuentes

After reviewing the data of about 1,007 working-age adults from southeastern Pennsylvania, which was collected in the Sleep and Health Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) study, researchers found that when it came to sleep, couples that shared a bed were more likely to have good restorative sleep through the night. In addition, they were less likely to suffer from sleep disorders.

“Sleeping with a romantic partner or spouse shows to have great benefits on sleep health including reduced sleep apnea risk, sleep insomnia severity, and overall improvement in sleep quality,” said lead researcher Brandon Fuentes.

And the benefits observed don’t end with quality of sleep. Study authors also found that people who slept with their partners had lower instances of depression, anxiety, and stress than their counterparts who slept alone, while their relationship satisfaction, as well as overall satisfaction with their lives, was higher.

“Very few research studies explore this, but our findings suggest that whether we sleep alone or with a partner, family member, or pet may impact our sleep health,” said study author Dr. Michael Grandner. “We were very surprised to find out just how important this could be.”

Based on these results, it may be time for couples that went through a sleep divorce to consider a sleep reconciliation.

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