Why Are More Couples Sleeping Apart?

If you sleep apart from your partner, you’re not alone. Many issues can impact getting a good night’s rest when you sleep next to someone else. Sleep deprived couples can suffer from fatigue, and it can take a toll on your relationship.

However, sleep doesn’t have to affect your relationship. Here are some common reasons why couples sleep apart and how you can overcome them.

Snoring

Snoring is an annoyance and can easily disrupt the shuteye of your sleep partner. Snoring can often become chronic, which can keep your partner awake night after night.

The snoring sound is produced when your airway is narrowed, which causes an audible throat vibration. During sleep, muscles are more relaxed, which impacts the space in the airways. The likelihood of snoring can increase for several reasons including weight gain, poor posture, and sleep apnea.

If you can’t rest due to your partners snoring, you don’t have to sleep apart forever. A snoring aid can help reduce or eliminate the problem of snoring so you both can get a full night’s rest. Snoring mouthpieces work by keeping the jaw thrust forward, so airways are more open.

You could also try a tongue-restraining device, which holds the tongue in a position that prevents blockage and snoring. Chin straps are also a good option. They support the alignment of the jaw to prevent airways from being obstructed.

Core Temperature

Temperature is an essential factor when it comes to sleep. If it’s too hot or cold, you may feel restless or find it hard to fall asleep. Managing your body temperature is key to maintaining healthy sleep.

Some couples might find it hard to nearly impossible to sleep together if core temperature differences are a problem. One sleep partner might prefer the heat to be blasting at night, while the other is continually throwing off the covers.

If this issue is something you and your sleep partner can relate to, it doesn’t mean you have to sleep in separate rooms. Look into special temperature-controlled mattresses or pillows.

These temperature balancing devices allow each partner to adjust the temperature to their liking. You could get a mattress or pad that can either heat or cool the bed. There are cooling mattresses as well, which help regulate a cooler and more comfortable sleeping environment.

Nocturnal TV Watching

Another poor sleep habit is a common reason couples sleep apart: nocturnal TV watching. You or your partner may love catching up on the latest TV binge before bed, but this can be a frustrating habit that inhibits quality sleep for both of you.

The blaring noise of the TV can be a menace for the partner who is trying to fall asleep. But it’s not just loud sound that is a problem. The bright light of the TV screen is also a big culprit in making it harder to fall asleep.

Your body clock is used to the rising and falling of the sun. The TV and other modern electronics emit an artificial light called blue light, which tricks your brain to turn off the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that is produced to help you fall asleep naturally, but the blue light of the TV can interrupt this process and decrease the quality of sleep.

If you and your partner don’t sleep together because of late-night TV watching, you can overcome this issue by adopting better sleep habits. You can do this by substituting the TV with other night-time activities like reading or writing.

You shouldn’t watch TV in the bedroom before you go to sleep. Watch your favorite TV show an hour earlier than you usually do. Your bedtime routine should be about unplugging and unwinding.

Poor Sleep Schedules

Modern couples often have busy lives and hectic schedules, which may not support a regular sleep schedule. One partner might go to bed early, while the other likes to stay up late. Couples may have different work schedules, which results in varying sleep schedules.

Whatever the reason for a couple’s erratic sleep partners, you shouldn’t have to always sleep apart. In fact, poor sleep schedules can affect your health and increase the chances of fatigue, short-temperedness, and poor concentration.

If you and your partner need to improve your sleep schedule, there are several steps you can take. Adjusting a sleep schedule should be a gradual change, by slowing modifying your bedtime routine.

Talk to your partner and decide on a bedtime and wake-up time that works best for both of you and stick to it. Communication is key when it comes to improving your sleep habits and your relationship. A good night’s sleep for both of you can make all the difference in every area of your lives together.