Sleeping with a partner can have many benefits, including providing a sense of safety and closeness. However, it can sometimes be hard to get a good night’s sleep when you share a bed with someone else. The good news is, if you prefer to sleep alone rather than in the same bed as your partner, you’re not alone. A recent sleep survey of 1,200 American adults (56% females, 44% males) 18 years and older conducted by U.S. News reveals that more than one in three Americans prefer sleeping in a bed separate from their partner.
More Than One-Third Opt for Separate Beds (or Bedrooms)
According to the survey, 35% prefer sleeping in a separate bed from their partner at night. Reasons for sleep apart include habits like snoring, keeping different sleep schedules, or tossing and turning that can interfere with a good night’s rest. These problems have driven many couples to consider a “sleep divorce”—and it’s not as negative as it sounds. A “sleep divorce” allows couples to separate at bedtime by retreating to their own bed—or bedroom—to get a better night’s sleep.
Almost Half Prefer Having Their Own Blanket
Another interesting finding from this survey is that 44% of people prefer not to share a comforter at night. In fact, they would much rather have their own blanket to snuggle up with instead of trying to share with a partner.
Not sharing a comforter with the person you share the bed with is not an unfamiliar practice. Some refer to it as the “Scandinavian sleep method,” since it’s commonly practiced in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as well as other countries throughout Europe. So while partners sleep in the same bed each night, they each have their own blanket. This helps avoid issues with blanket hogging, and makes it easier to maintain a preferred sleep temperature.
