How to share a bed: Problems and their Solutions

How to share a bed: Problems and their Solutions

Written by Mehran Uzair

Last Updated on Aug 03, 2022

In this article:

    No matter how much you love your partner, you’ve encountered the adversities of sharing a bed at least once in your lifetime. Sleep divorce is real, and the reasons might be the weird sleeping positions of your partner. Sharing a bed with someone after you’ve spent most of your days sleeping alone can be compromising - until you learn how to get great at sharing a bed. 

    Some of the common factors that hinder sleeping in the same bed with your partner are snoring, restlessness, irregular body temperature, and unmatchable sleep cycles. However, there are many ways where sharing a bed with your partner will become seamless, and this article covers it all.

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    Do Sleeping Buddies Affect How Long You Sleep?

    Research says, sharing a bed with someone doesn’t alleviate better sleep but instead instills a sense of security in the person. While sleeping, having a partner beside you is surprisingly not that great - especially in cases of women. In addition, sleeping in the same bed as someone might be detrimental to your sleeping cycle because of reasons like snoring, continuous movements, extreme body temperature, and more. All these factors affect the way and also how long you sleep.

    Why Sharing a Bed May Be Difficult?

    Two people in a bed might arouse some intimacy, spark, and endless conversations. But, sharing a bed might also lead to irregular sleep patterns and adjustments. So, let us get going with what all accompanies while sharing a bed.

    Snoring 

    Around 40% of men and 24% of women are snorers, as stated by the University of Utah. Snoring, though one of the most typical activities while sleeping, might be a sign of more severe health issues like sleep apnea, or allergies as stated by Janet Kennedy, a clinical psychologist and author of The Good Sleeper. Snoring is detrimental to not only the partner’s sleep but also to the snorer who might suffer from daytime sleepiness, headaches, and deprived sleep throughout the day. 

    Differing Temperature Preferences 

    According to studies, the ideal temperature for sleep is between 68 and 72 degrees. Though your partner might be a warm sleeper while you’re the opposite. The best way to tackle this situation is by putting on more layers. One of the simplest solutions to know how to sleep better with your partner is to adjust your night clothes and wear something warm. 

    Opposing Sleep Cycles: Early Bird vs. Night Owl 

    Sharing a bed might be tedious if you and your partner have different sleep cycles. While you may be an early bird, your partner might be a night owl. The founder of Insomnia Coach, and also a certified sleep health expert, Martin Reed states how one should always stick to their sleep cycle. This is because our sleep cycles are controlled by ‘chronotype’ or in simpler terms, the body rhythm that controls our sleep cycle. 

    Therefore, altering the sleep cycle will not be beneficial even when sharing a bed. For instance, if a night owl tries to sleep early, it will only lead to insomnia because they will force their body to sleep, causing frustration and restlessness. 

    Bed and Blanket–Hogging 

    One major issue while sharing a bed with your partner, one major issue is adjusting the bed and blankets. Both of you might often sleep off peacefully with the blanket properly distributed - only to wake up shivering in the cold and noticing the whole blanket covering either of you. 

    The fine art of sharing a bed is real simple - investing in a bigger bed and separate blankets or comforters. Every couple needs to have their own personal space, especially while sleeping. And investing in two separate twin comforters instead of a single big one might be beneficial. 

    Uninvited Guests (aka Your Kids) 

    Sharing a bed with your partner is one thing, but your child making their own space in the same bed is another. Sleeping with your child tends to break your regular sleep cycle resulting in sleepless nights as they might be restless. 

    If your child insists on sleeping with you, then it’s time you need to be strict with them. You need to fix their habit of falling asleep and waking up independently. This specific issue might also result in your partner leaving the bed due to a space crunch, eventually leading to a marriage crisis. 

    Late-Night Wake-Ups 

    If you are concerned and often state ‘my partner and I can’t sleep together due to his late-night wake-ups’ - it is time for your partner to be courteous about it. One thing that eases sharing a bed is your partner limiting the usage of all electronic devices while you sleep. They can also try and find solace working in the living room. They can stay there till the time they feel sleepy, then return to the bedroom to sleep - without causing any disturbance. 

    Calling It Quits 

    Some people are simply sleep-incompatible, and it is quite normal. After sharing a bed, if you regularly find yourself sleep-deprived the next morning, or feel very unrested, the solution is to sleep separately. Try sleeping separately for a couple of weeks and notice the change. Health always comes first, and sabotaging it would affect your daily life as well. Having a healthy sleep is a necessity to lead a healthy and prosperous life, and even if that means sleeping separately - it ought to be done.

    7 Tips for Sharing a Bed with Your Partner

    If sharing a bed with your partner is becoming an issue, instead of dodging, speak about it. There are also certain solutions stating how to get great at sharing a bed as explained below.

    Get a Bigger Mattress 

    One of the easiest and most effective ways to deal with issues while sharing a bed is to invest in a bigger mattress. Having a small space for both of you feels great when cuddling. But the moment you feel sleepy, your body and mind would want some ‘me-space’ to sleep peacefully. 

    Full or twin beds are great options for single adults. But for couples, queen beds are often considered the most popular choice because of the ample space offered. Each person will have ample space for themselves. After all the cuddling, you will surely love to sleep in your own space on a bigger mattress.

    Another thing to consider when buying the mattress is checking if it offers motion isolation. The motion-isolation feature prevents the other person from getting disturbed by the movements of their partner. 

    Place the Bed in the Middle of the Room

    Neither you nor your partner likes crawling over the other person when they need to reach out of the bed. Placing the bed in the middle of the room will make space for both of you to reach out and move back from different ends without disturbing anybody’s sleep. 

    Solve Snoring Problems 

    Snoring, as already mentioned, is one of the most common symptoms that can be associated with severe health problems like Sleep Apnea. Now, while sharing a bed, if your partner’s snoring bothers you, you need to undergo certain adjustments.

    • Put on your earplugs, especially the ones featuring noise cancellations
    • Invest in a white noise machine or a sound machine that plays some soothing music overtaking the snoring sound

    What if you are the snorer? Try the below activities. 

    • Try side sleeping - this is helpful in keeping the airways open and lowering the sound
    • Consume over-the-counter nasal strips or dilators that open up the nasal pathway
    • People having nighttime allergies should try decongesting for better rest

    Sleep According to Your Own Schedule 

    It is essential to sleep according to your chronotype, but sharing a bed with a person having a completely opposite sleeping schedule is a problem. In that case, you both have to adhere to your own timings thereby making you feel well-rested and productive. 

    Try Different Sleep Positions 

    Trying out different sleeping positions when sharing a bed might be helpful in providing the most peaceful sleep. You can test out different sleeping positions with your partner and check which one provides comfort to both of you. 

    Communicate with your Partner 

    Communication is the key to a healthy relationship, and this is also applicable when you are sharing a bed with your partner as well. Both of you need to be on the same page regarding the sleeping issues that either of you are facing. Unresolved issues might lead to extreme frustration.

    • While sharing a bed, it may happen for one partner to sleep late and the other very early. Two things are mandatory in situations like this - earplugs and an eye mask, this will ensure that the early sleeper is not bothered.
    • On the other hand, if you or your partner sleeps hot or cold, the thermostat needs to function accordingly. If you sleep cold, you need to layer up more warm clothes and a comforter. And if you sleep hot, you can put on just a single layer or nothing at all. 

    Make Your Bedroom More Sleep-Friendly 

    Making your bedroom more sleep-friendly will make it more effortless for you and your partner to doze off. Just a few alterations to your bedroom will make it appear beautiful and cozy. What changes to make?

    • Light or pastel shades of bedroom walls, bed sheets, blankets, and duvet might be excellent choices. White colors showcase a cool feeling that is beneficial for hot sleepers - it prevents either of you get overheated.

       

    • While sharing a bed, if you and your partner have diverse preferences regarding duvets, then change the duvet covers.

       

    • An eye mask might be helpful if your partner has the habit of reading books using light, or using the laptop/tablet/phone.

       

    • Earplugs are another helpful device that guards you against a snoring partner or any other surrounding sound. 

    Keep the Kids Out of the Bedroom 

    If your kids regularly insist on sleeping with you and your partner, it is time to fix this. The kids will gradually become dependent on you and your partner for falling asleep and waking up. When kids sleep independently, they tend to get better sleep. Though if this happens occasionally, and everybody is able to fall asleep quickly - it is acceptable. 

    The best way to make your kid understand is explaining to them firmly and in a calm manner that they cannot just crawl into your bed all the time. They need to learn to sleep independently, and they should learn it fast. One good way to make this happen is to reward them once they abide by your words. 

    What If I Still Can’t Sleep Comfortably With My Partner?

    If even after implementing all the measures to enjoy a peaceful way of sharing a bed, both of you are sleep deprived, it is time to rule out a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders will not only affect the sufferer but also their partner. In scenarios like these, immediately contact a sleep expert or specialist and get treated regarding what is bothering your sleep - is it Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, or something else? Sleep disorders are both physically and mentally straining. 

    According to USA Today, numerous American couples are sleeping separately and that has resulted in better sleep quality and relief of certain marital problems. This is also called sleep divorce, and it is in actuality not as painstaking as it sounds. Couples only sleep separately as it improves both their sleep quality. And a good night’s sleep will only benefit your health. You can always give it a try and see if it works for you. 

    Sharing a bed with your loved one can be an amazing experience but if it leads to a detrimental sleep cycle, it will only sabotage your sleep. It is not necessary for both of you to follow similar sleep cycles, patterns, and cycles when sharing a bed. You can take a break, give sleep divorce a try and see if it works for both. Sleep deprivation might hamper your regular life, and taking care of your health comes first.

    Disclaimer: This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional. You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website. Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency. The contents of this website are provided "as-is", Dreamcloud Sleep and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact support@dreamcloud.com to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.
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