To sleep, perchance to dream....said William Shakespeare.
But perchance not, for couples who sleep together - particularly men.
A study from the University of Vienna recently announced the results of a sleep study involving 8 couples in their 20s, who lived together but had no children. Each couple spent 10 nights sleeping in the same bed, and 10 nights sleeping separately. They had to fill out detailed questionnaires about the quality of their sleep, if they could recall their dreams, take part in tests, and indicate how they felt the next day.
Men fared particularly badly! There was no difference if they had sex the night before - the next day they felt more tired and their stress levels were raised. They all said they felt better and preferred to sleep with their partners but their results said otherwise, with increased stress and faring badly in cognitive testing.
Women slept more deeply than men (thus feeling better the next day) and fared better in the testing but still said they felt better after the nights they slept alone.
Interestingly, women remembered their dreams better after sleeping alone and men remembered them better after having sex.
Dr Neil Stanley, of the the University of Surrey, added that ""It's not surprising that people are disturbed by sleeping together.
Historically, we have never been meant to sleep in the same bed as each other. It is a bizarre thing to do.
Sleep is the most selfish thing you can do and it's vital for good physical and mental health.
Sharing the bed space with someone who is making noises and who you have to fight with for the duvet is not sensible.
If you are happy sleeping together that's great, but if not there is no shame in separate beds."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5197440.stm
Researchers also concede that the opposite can happen. Couples can get so used to sleeping together that separation can cause stress and lack of sleep.
Tell Us
Do you think you'd sleep better alone? Would you be prepared to separate at night to ensure you sleep better or do you think that would affect your relationship with your partner?
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Add a Comment3 Comments
I sleep in my office/guest room when im angry or go to bed before the snoring kicks in in my partner ive been struggling to make this work an would like some help?
April 3, 2011 - 9:54pmThis Comment
It is a question of love:
September 20, 2010 - 12:48pmI have been sleeping in separate bedroom for a year now, and I love being alone, even in winter with cold. It s really selfish, but I must tell I treasure it.
Sometimes my little daughter comes to my bed, but she does not diturb me at all.
As I am in a situation of "separated but living in the same house" we dont share bedrooms.
This Comment
I think emotionally, as a woman, sleeping with a partner can initially create a sense of protection and relaxation- however, with time comes assimilation and comfortability. With the habit of sleeping with another can come the adoption of their sleeping habits- possibly tossing and turning, going to bed later or earlier than usual, etc. and I think that, that territory can lead to detrimental habits.
January 25, 2010 - 3:29pmThis Comment