Nearly a third of couples practice "sleep divorce" in the pursuit of good slumber, a new survey shows That's up from 20% of couples doing so in a 2023 survey But experts say no one should panic, because good sleep brings good health and doesn't signal the end of the relationship WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Many couples may be painfully familiar with the scenario: One partner snores loudly all night long, so the other partner seeks better sleep in another bed. Now, a new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) shows just how common the practice of "sleep divorce" is: 29% of Americans have opted to sleep in another bed in the same bedroom or in another space in the home to accommodate their partner. That is up from 2023, when only 20% of respondents admitted to sleeping in another room on occasion.
Only 15% said they did so consistently in that earlier survey. “The concept of ‘sleep divorce’ simply means sleeping in separate beds or bedrooms and is an option for couples seeking better sleep quality,” said AASM spokesperson . “The term might sound alarming, but it's not about ending a relationship -- it's about prioritizing sleep health and addressing the sleep issues that may be eroding a relationship, such as snoring, tossing and turning, or differing sleep schedules," she said in an AASM news release on the survey.
"A sleep divorce is not a sign of a relationship in trouble -- it allows for honest conversation about disruptive habi.