Choosing to sleep in a different bed to your partner could improve intimacy and make your relationship stronger. Would you consider a sleep divorce?

Sharing a bed with your partner isn’t always beneficial when it comes to getting a decent night of sleep. By the time you factor in snoring, shift work and temperature difference, not to mention constant tossing and turning, it’s a miracle that any couple is able to get any shut-eye at all. Experts say that the number of couples opting for a ‘sleep divorce’ is on the rise and it could be making their relationships stronger than ever…

Personal Space

Jennifer Adams, who wrote the hugely successful book Sleeping Apart Not Falling Apart, says that marriage can often be happier when couples give each other personal space. “Show me the stats of divorced couples who shared a bed every night,” she told The Daily Mail.

“Sleeping in separate rooms does not mean the end of a relationship, it’s just a way of maintaining a relationship.” Jennifer said that couples are becoming more honest about the need to prioritise quality sleep over sharing a bed. “Talking about it openly becomes more socially acceptable,” she said. “You would be surprised how many happily married couples are already doing this!”

Sleep To Survive

Dr Nikki Goldstein, a sexologist and relationship expert, said that couples sleeping in separate beds is more common than many might think. “Look at the facts. Sleeping has nothing to do with intimacy but we all need it to survive.”

“What I don’t encourage couples doing is permanently sleeping separately. Maybe once or twice a week so you can get a full night’s sleep and you’re not waking up grumpy and resentful.”

We think many couples, particularly mums and dads, value quality night’s sleep. If it means opting for a sleep divorce a couple of times a week to get it, we think it’s well worth it for your health and your relationship.

Have you and your partner opted for a ‘sleep divorce’? Share your story in the comments.