If you’re experiencing a strain in your relationship and are contemplating splitting up, there are a couple of things to explore when considering this big decision. Before committing to splitting, couples can try some therapy methods to determine whether they should split starting with a sleep divorce.
A sleep divorce is an agreed arrangement between a couple to separate individual sleeping arrangements by sleeping in separate beds, different sleep times, or sleeping entirely in separate rooms. Arranging a sleep divorce can give each partner some independence and a chance to see whether this arrangement is beneficial with the chance to address sleeping problems with both partners.
There are some circumstances that can impede a partner’s sleep such as working different time shifts, experiencing sleep disorders that can be unpleasant for the other partner, or even finding more comfort with extra bed space. Agreeing to a sleep divorce can help address issues in relationships while also addressing the impact of quality sleep time.
Evidence from a 2016 study published in Chronobiology International concluded that subjects sleeping with partners who snore can have a negative impact on sleep quality. This is one of the few studies regarding this matter and there is more research to be done to determine the impact of physical and mental health.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) indicates sleep attributes to mental health benefits including helping consolidate memories and rebuild muscle. NINDS also indicates that insufficient sleep over time can increase the chances of negative health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. Having a proper sleep routine can help fuel your overall well-being and health.
Researching studies can be helpful in making the decision to consider a sleep divorce but it is recommended to do what is best for your health when it comes to sleep. It might be easy to discuss the benefits of having a sleep divorce arrangement, but it can become a complicated matter when discussing this with your partner.
Having an open discussion about sleep divorce arrangements can lead to conflict but there are a couple of guidelines on creating a positive open dialogue. Partners should be gentle in approaching the discussion of a sleep divorce as this topic bears a heavy weight that can be emotional for either partner. The best policy, in this case, is honesty by communicating changes in behavior with empathy towards each partner.
Before going into a discussion regarding a sleep divorce, it’s best to have the mentality that sleeping apart doesn’t mean you’re in a terrible relationship. Not everyone jumps head-first into a sleep divorce when there are options for arrangements like trying it out of curiosity, making a permanent choice or experimenting with an arrangement that works best for your relationship.
This can also give you the chance to consider sleep compromises as a sleep divorce arrangement can be done in a way that works best for your relationship. Couples should address this concept in regard to the current relationship dynamic with one option of sleeping apart on weeknights and sleeping together on the weekends. This can also open a dialogue between partners about sleep problems like sleep deprivation or having a unique sleeping schedule.