Is there a reason some couples end up sleeping in separate beds? When we see couples who prefer individual sleep spaces, we immediately jump to there being a problem in the relationship – a 'sleep divorce' as it's known.
But what if there are real reasons, such as a partner who gets too hot in bed, or a partner who needs to use a CPAP machine? How do you get a good night's sleep as a couple? We've highlighted some of the problems alongside tips for couples with sleeping issues.
Space
A recent Sleepyhead sleep study found that around 57% of adults prefer to sleep in a queen size bed. A couple doesn't have a lot of space in this scenario. In fact, half a queen size mattress gives you less sleep room than if you were alone in a single bed or on a king single mattress. Does your bedroom give you the option to step up to a king size bed? This will just give you that extra width, and it's worth it in terms of dollars versus quality sleep.
Too hot in bed
Do you find yourself overheating at night while your other half is either sleeping like a baby? Is it a hot mattress or do you chalk it up to generally being a hot sleeper, menopause, exercising before bedtime, or all of the above?
If only there was some sort of temperature control mattress that could work for someone who gets too hot in bed but equally lets those who sleep cold get the zzzs they need as well. KülKōte is a temperature-regulating technology that senses how you sleep. It's not technically a cooling mattress, but technology that helps regulate the temperature on the sleep surface. How does it work?
Inside KülKōte are tiny microcapsules which, once you're lying on the mattress, heat up and liquefy then start the process of absorbing heat. Studies show that KülKōte technology activates once your skin temperature reaches between 29°C and 33°C.
So if you're sleeping hot, KülKōte will sense this and stay at around 29°C. Without KülKōte, a hot mattress will keep getting warmer - potentially a full six degrees more - making sleep uncomfortable. If a mattress with temperature regulation sounds like something that might help you and your partner sleep better, then check out our Sleepyhead stockists to try a range that contains KülKōte technology.
Snoring
Anyone who sleeps with a snorer can attest to the fact that, at times, it can feel like a good old fashioned waterboarding would be better than lying next to hours of intolerable nose snorting and choked breathing.
It's the number one reason why couples part ways during the night. Earplugs work, sure, but what about the underlying reason for the snoring? Deeper health concerns might be at play, such as breathing difficulties or even sleep apnoea, so it would pay to seriously investigate these first. If the snoring itself isn't on the serious end of the spectrum, you might want to consider a contoured memory foam pillow, especially if you or your other half is a back sleeper, as it can help with snoring owing to the shape of the pillow itself aiding the opening of the airways.
Night owl, early bird
What happens if you're an early riser but your partner is more of a night owl with a tendency to sleep in? These different circadian rhythms can play havoc with a good night's sleep for both of you. A lot of studies have been done on chronotypes – that is, the body's natural clock and the way it can influence our lives. It might not be something you can necessarily change in someone, so adapting to these behaviours is more common.
This can be as simple as keeping the noise level down on devices at night or ensuring you don't pull open curtains early in the morning. Simple compromises to ensure your partner still gets their desired eight hours of sleep.
At the extreme end, some couples have found that separate bedrooms are necessary when their desired sleep times – or more to the point, when they're awake at home – can be disruptive to their partner's sleep.
Sleeping together shouldn't mean sacrificing the rest you both need. Whether the solution is upgrading to a larger mattress, investing in smart temperature-regulating technology like KülKōte, or making small adjustments to respect each other's schedules, prioritising good sleep is an investment in your relationship. A "sleep divorce" doesn't have to be the default setting when night-time friction hits. At the end of the day, a well-rested couple is a happier couple. Visit your local Sleepyhead stockist to find a sleep solution that helps you both rest easy, together.