7 Reasons Sleep Divorce Might Be Good for Your Relationship

Surveys show mixed results. Sleep Foundation estimated in January 2023 that less than 2 percent of adults are in a sleep divorce situation — but the same month, a survey of 2,200 Americans by the International Housewares Association for The New York Times found that one in five couples sleep not just in separate beds but in separate bedrooms. Of those couples who sleep apart, nearly two-thirds do it every night.

These findings beg the question of whether or not such a practice is healthy for a relationship. The answer has a lot to do with intent, says licensed marriage and family therapist R. Hope Eliasof.

"If for one couple it means we'll get a better night's sleep and be happier people, that's great," she explains. However, "if it means to me that you find me repulsive or don't like the way I smell, that decision is going to be different."

Some couples — even famous ones — have separate sleeping arrangements so they can get a good night's sleep or for their mental health.

Whether it's for their sleep health or improved mental health, there are several reasons couples choose not to sleep in the same room or bed.

1. Snoring

Having a partner who snores can lead to poor sleep, per a 2012 survey by Sleep Foundation. In fact, 47 percent of female respondents said that snoring makes a "big impact," compared with 26 percent of men.

According to Psychology Today, "Snoring can put great strain on relationships. A snoring problem often creates not only tiredness but also frustration and resentment between couples. It can interfere with sexual and emotional intimacy, and can push couples to sleep in separate bedrooms."

2. Partner Movement

Some people barely move throughout the night, whereas 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 also be unenjoyable to sleep next to (although some couples solve this problem by each having their own set of covers).

3. Incompatible Sleep Habits

Couples who keep dramatically different sleep schedules may also choose to sleep in separate rooms. This prevents one partner from waking the other partner up at inopportune times, helping them to get quality sleep each night.

4. Needs of Children or Pets

Often, kids like to snuggle up to a parent to sleep, but three is typically a crowd in a sleep situation. As a result, some parents add a bed to their bedroom, or just sleep in a different room with a child.

Similarly, some pet parents love to have dogs or cats to slumber next to, while their partner can't abide the extra weight, body heat or dander.

5. Sleep Disorders

There are several sleep disorders, like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, that can interrupt a partner's sleep.

Chronic insomnia disorder due to stress or other factors affects 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. population while varying levels of insomnia symptoms impact 33 to 50 percent of people. A partner who tosses or gets up regularly because they can't fall asleep will likely affect their significant other.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects 25 million adults in the United States. The associated gasping, snoring and movement can also disrupt a sleep partner.

6. Disagreements Over Bedroom Details

Some people can't fall sleep unless the bedroom is very cold; others might the television on in the background to achieve sleep. If the partner has opposite needs, this can cause a sticky conflict.

7. Relationship Issues

The old trope of sending a partner to sleep on the couch after a fight isn't too far from the truth. In fact, 25.8 percent of people who sleep separately report it's because of "relationship issues."

Again, the benefits of a sleep divorce hinge on the intent behind the situation. If the couple is chronically angry with each other or otherwise unhappy, separate beds are probably not going to fix anything.

Sleeping apart may also cause emotional problems, depending on the situation. For example, Eliasof says that "if somebody is a snorer, where they are unwilling to go and have a sleep apnea check to see if surgery could help, that could get the other partner very upset and angry."

To that end, she asks couples to discuss the solutions they are willing to explore to positively impact their relationship. The partner who hears "deal with it" in regards to someone's snoring is less likely to look favorably on the sleep divorce situation than one whose partner has tried everything to fix the situation but with no luck.

Those who don't mind the separate sleeping situation, however, do report benefits. In fact, more than half say that the sleep divorce helped their overall sleep quality, with an average of 37 additional minutes of sleep every night, compared to when they shared a bed.

Just because a couple sleeps separately doesn't mean that closeness and their sex life have to suffer. "We know that touch is good for people," Eliasof says, noting that people who sleep in the same bed are naturally more able and inclined to cuddle or have sex.

Her advice to people who sleep separately is to still find time before bedtime to get close to each other, whether it's a cuddle on the couch or all-out intercourse. To keep things healthy, they should "have some physiological connection even before they go to sleep."

All couples, of course, should realize that a sleep divorce doesn't have to be permanent. In fact, 34.9 percent of people who slept separately and later reversed the decision said that they did so because "they missed each other."

If it's been a while since you've shared a bed, though, Eliasof says to start slowly and "with limited expectations. If it feels good and easy, you build on that."

We updated this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was edited and fact-checked by a HowStuffWorks editor.