When a couple gets married, the general expectation is that they will share a bed. However, many couples today are opting to stay married and sexually active, but do the actual sleeping part in separate beds, or even in separate rooms. Is such a practice healthy for a relationship? The answer has a lot to do with intent. If it means getting a better night’s sleep and being a happier couple, there’s nothing wrong with it. However, if it means that one or the other finds their spouse repulsive, there are clearly issues that need to be addressed. There are several reasons couples choose not to sleep in the same bed, or even in the same room. Snoring is the No. 1 reason. Having a spouse who snores can lead to poor sleep, which can, in turn, cause frustration and resentment between the couple. Coming in a close second is partner movement. Some people barely move throughout the night, while others bounce around all over the place. For light sleepers, this can be a major obstacle that’s tough to ignore. A bed partner who also hogs the covers can be unenjoyable to sleep next to. Third, incompatible sleep habits cause problems. Couples who have different sleep schedules often choose to sleep in different rooms to prevent waking up their partner at inopportune times. Finally, there are partners with sleep disorders. Insomnia and sleep apnea can interrupt a person's sleep, which is why many people with these disorders choose to sleep in a separate room to spare their spouse. Those who don't mind the separate sleeping situation report benefits. In fact, more than half say that a sleep divorce helped their overall sleep quality by giving them an average of 37 additional minutes of sleep every night.
