Sleep expert shares signs you might need a 'sleep divorce'

'SLEEP DIVORCE' IS THE LATEST SLEEP TREND EMBRACED BY CELEBS, SAVING MARRIAGES AND RELATIONSHIPS 16:32, 20 May 2025 Sleeping in separate beds might sound like a sign of trouble in

paradise – but could it actually be the secret to a healthier relationship? A solid night's sleep is the pillar of good health, and according to experts, it might even help to save a

relationship. 'Sleep divorce' – where partners choose to sleep in separate beds or bedrooms – is becoming increasingly popular, embraced by several celebrities, including Katherine

Ryan. On the latest episode of her podcast 'What’s My Age Again?' the comedian chatted with her guest Bryony Gordon about sleeping arrangements, and Bryony shared that: "I

like my sleep. I think sharing a bed with your husband is overrated." Katherine then revealed that she doesn't share a bed with her husband – and instead spends most nights

sleeping in her children's nursery. Here's what sleep experts say about 'sleep divorce' and its impact on sleep, wellbeing, and relationships. POSSIBLE REASONS FOR A

'SLEEP DIVORCE' "Good-quality sleep is crucial for both physical and mental wellbeing, increasing energy levels, improving mood, and promoting better overall health,"

says Dr Hana Patel, NHS GP and resident sleep expert at Time4Sleep. "A sleep divorce can help couples to address potential sleep disruptions such as snoring or restlessness," Dr

Patel adds. Snoring is the number one disruption for getting a good night’s sleep, according to research by the National Bed Federation. "This research also found that 38 per cent of

men and 36 per cent of women quoted snoring as the number one reason for a sleep divorce," says Dr Ryan Cheong, ENT consultant and sleep surgeon at Cleveland Clinic London. Things like

fidgeting and different sleeping patterns can also disrupt co-sleeping, Dr Cheong says. "Also, if your partner has very strong, different preferences for their sleeping environment,

like temperature, light exposure, mattress comfort or material, then that can be an issue as well," he adds. When is it time to consider a 'sleep divorce'? According to Dr

Patel, "If you are finding that sleeping with your partner is causing you to experience chronic lack of sleep, and you find that your health and wellbeing are suffering as a result, it

may be time to consider a sleep divorce.” IS IT POSSIBLE TO SLEEP BETTER NEXT TO A PARTNER? Some people may find they actually sleep better next to someone else, and there is some evidence

this. "Research suggests that there’s a 10 per cent increase in rapid eye movement sleep when we’re co-sleeping," explains Dr Cheong. The REM phase, also known as rapid eye

movement, is when the brain processes memories and emotions and is the sleep phase responsible for dreaming. "The discussions about why this might be the case stems from the social

aspect of human evolution, that we tend to be quite social creatures in nature, and having a partner, and in this case a bed partner, gives us the sense of security," he adds. HOW TO

INITIATE A 'SLEEP DIVORCE' "As long as the discussion and the request is coming from a place of respect, love and understanding, then it’s more likely to be received well by

your bed partner when the subject is brought up," says Dr Cheong. Dr Patel recommends testing out sleeping separately for a short period of time to see how it works. Article continues

below "Whilst some may assume that a sleep divorce hinders bedroom intimacy between couples, in fact, it can significantly enhance intimacy and the overall quality of a couple’s sex

life, particularly for those in long-term relationships," Dr Patel says. "This is because increased energy levels and improved mood from better sleep are important factors in

encouraging a healthy libido," she adds.