Whether it's to avoid couples who steal sheets and toss and turn all night, or those who constantly shake the room with loud snores, many Americans are opting for a "sleep divorce" to help improve their night's sleep.
According to a recent survey of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine ?American Academy of Sleep Medicine, AASM?, more than a third of people say they occasionally or constantly sleep in another room to please their bed partner.
According to the results of research involving 2,005 US adults, men are more likely to sleep on the couch or in the guest room, and nearly half ?45 percent? report occasionally or constantly sleeping in another room, compared to only a quarter ?25 percent? Women's.
"We know that lack of sleep can worsen your mood, and people who don't sleep well are more likely to argue with their partners. There may be some resentment towards the person causing the sleep disruption, which can negatively affect relationships," said Dr. Seema Khosla, a pulmonologist and AASM spokeswoman.
In that sense, the expert stressed that "a good night's sleep is important for both health and happiness, so it is not surprising that some couples choose to sleep apart for their general well-being."
The AASM pointed out that getting the right amount of healthy sleep is important for relationships, as studies have shown that those who consistently experience sleep problems are more likely to conflict with their partners.
In addition, he reported that sleep loss decreases levels of empathic accuracy, which means that those who don't get enough sleep may be less able to understand or interpret their partner's feelings.
generational issue
Although the "dream divorce" occurs at different ages, almost half? 43 percent? of millennials occasionally or constantly sleep in another room to please a bed partner, followed by a third ?33 percent? of Gen Xers, 28 percent of Gen Z and 22 percent of Baby Boomers.
«Although the term? divorce of the dream? seems harsh, it really just means that people prioritize sleep and move to a separate room at night when necessary," Khosla said.
“However, if it is the loud snoring of one partner that is causing the separation of sleeping spaces, then you should encourage that partner to talk to a doctor about obstructive sleep apnea. . This applies to both men and women who may snore," he suggested.
And it is that loud and frequent snoring is not just a nuisance; it is a common symptom of sleep apnea. While not everyone who snores has this sleeping sickness, it is a warning sign that should be taken seriously. When snoring is combined with choking, gasping, or silent pauses in breathing during sleep, it is a strong indicator of sleep apnea.
Other common symptoms of sleep apnea include fatigue or daytime sleepiness, unrefreshing sleep, insomnia, morning headaches, nocturia (waking up during the night to go to the bathroom), difficulty concentrating, memory loss, decreased sexual desire, irritability and difficulty staying awake while sleeping watching TV or driving. Excess body weight is a key risk factor for sleep apnea.
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