Study explains why most partners in America would prefer sleeping in a separate beds

A recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults who live with a partner discovered that half of them would be willing to try sleeping in a separate bed as a way to get better rest.

This may be due to the fact that the average cohabiting person receives less than four good nights of sleep a week.

However, despite a willingness to sleep in separate beds, more than two in five people (42%) prefer going to sleep at the same time as their partner and using the time before closing their eyes to watch TV shows or movies together (28%) and chat about their day (24%).

Once couples are ready to go to sleep, 53% of those surveyed prefer to cuddle their partner.

The survey also explored what those who co-sleep view as their biggest sleep disruptors.

Those surveyed shared that their biggest annoyance is when their partner steals the covers (35%), wakes them up tossing and turning (35%), sleeps with the television on (28%), snores (28%), or sleeps with the lights on (27%).

The survey found that better mattresses and better pillows can contribute to a more restful sleep.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) shower before bed, and 58% confirmed they would be bothered if their partner didn’t wash up before bedtime.

Parents may also be struggling with more than just their partner’s sleep habits.

More than one-third reported that their child snuck into their bed two nights a week (37%) while one in five (20%) claimed that they were woken up with a little one coming to their bed three nights a week.

“People are creatures of habit, and 40% of respondents continue to sleep on their own side of the bed when their partner is away,” said JD Velilla, head of sleep experience at Serta Simmons Bedding.

The survey found that sleep habits can start during childhood.

More than half of those surveyed (56%) grew up sharing their room with a family member such as a sibling, and the vast majority of these respondents (86%) credit this experience for preparing them to be more accepting of sharing a room with their partner.

Ultimately, when asked what could contribute to better sleep beyond sleeping in separate beds, respondents cited the following solutions: a new/better mattress (36%), new/better pillows (34%), or a bigger bed (29%).