Roughly one in every three Americans is apparently “sleep divorced” — sleeping occasionally or consistently in a room different from their bed partner, according to a recent survey.
An online survey conducted in late March by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) suggested that about 35% of Americans opt for undisturbed sleep over physical proximity with their beloved.
Of the 2,005 adults surveyed, 391 (20%) said they slept in another room on occasion, and 309 (15%) said they did so consistently.
“Getting a good night’s sleep is important for both health and happiness, so it’s no surprise that some couples choose to sleep apart for their overall well-being,” AASM spokesperson and pulmonologist Dr. Seema Khosla said in a news release on July 10.
Sleep divorce limits disturbances such as snoring, cover theft, getting up to go to the bathroom, or early alarms that can affect sleep quality.
“We know that poor sleep can worsen your mood, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to argue with their partners. There may be some resentment toward the person causing the sleep disruption which can negatively impact relationships,” Khosla said, per the news release.
The practice is even trending on social media platforms like TikTok, where one user claimed in a video that sleep divorce saves marriages.
@joannabiostrips I have friends who sleep in separate rooms and are ambarased to talk anout it but it works for them and the tesearch on sleep divorce and separation proves that it could be rifgjt solution for some couples. Do uou know anyone who does this? #sleephelp #sleeptips #sleepproblems #sleephacks #cantsleep @Joanna-Natural Remedies ?✨
The reasons for couples sleeping apart can vary. Another TikTok user shared in a video that she is sleep divorced at 24 years old, with her husband sleeping in the guest bedroom to cover the night shift watching their baby.
@matt_and_abby Sleep divorced at 24 ? #mattandabby
“We really need to normalize this. Nothing wrong with sleeping in different rooms,” wrote one commenter.
“Oddly [I’ve] been afraid to talk about this because it’s so stigmatized … but it has literally changed our marriage,” wrote another.
Sleep divorce appears to be practiced most by millennials, with 43% of those surveyed saying they sleep in separate rooms. Generation X followed at 33%, with Generation Z and baby boomers logging 28% and 22%, respectively.
While there are potential benefits for couples’ quality of sleep when sleeping separately, there are still some arguments for sleeping together.
Dr. Daniel Shade, a sleep expert with Allegheny Health Network, pointed out that sharing a bed may help couples maintain strong physical and emotional bonds.
“We release oxytocin and some other chemicals that are called ‘the cuddling hormones,’ and things that give us a good feeling and bring us closer to that person we’re imprinting upon that we’re with,” Shade told CBS News.
Dr. Erin Flynn-Evans, an AASM sleep consultant, also explained that couples sleeping together might help alert each other to potential health problems.
“For example, a person might report that their bed partner snores loudly, prompting them to seek treatment for sleep apnea,” she said, according to CBS News.
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes repeated stops and starts in breathing during sleep. Obesity, which affects an estimated 18 million Americans, is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea.
Whether a couple decides to sleep divorce permanently, temporarily, or not at all, the key takeaway from the AASM and other sleep experts seems to be that sleep is essential for maintaining health and well-being.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed late last year that over a third of North Texans were not getting the recommended seven hours of sleep, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.