A quarter of women would rather sleep next to a pet than a partner
From snoring to stealing the duvet, the sleep habits of our other half can be somewhat irritating, but it seems our nocturnal behaviour is having a serious impact on our relationships with new research revealing almost a quarter of women would rather share a bed with their pet than a partner.
A new study of 2,000 UK adults, found that 24% of British women would prefer to snuggle up with their pooch over their significant other.
The same can't be said of our male counterparts, however, with just 13% of men admitting they'd choose to snooze alongside their pet.
In further proof women don't necessarily enjoy sharing their beds, a significant 44% say they prefer sleeping on their own, that's compared to just a third (33%) of men.
It seems it is unbecoming bedtime behaviours that are doing most of the relationship damage for women with over three quarters (77%) saying their partner has annoying sleeping habits, whereas only 60% of men felt the same way.
It won't come as a surprise to learn snoring is the most grating sleeping habit, with 67% of respondents complaining about loud snorers. Meanwhile, stealing covers (50%) also featured highly on people’s list of pm pet peeves, as did tossing and turning in the night (47%).
Interestingly, whether it’s envy or pillow talk being cut short, 6% of Brits actually find it annoying when their partner falls asleep too quickly.
That said, we certainly aren’t shy about letting our partners know of our sleeping woes. In our survey, half of Brits were happy to be honest with someone about how they were disrupting sleep, with only 14% of people keeping their gripes to themselves.
"Whether it’s a brand new relationship or a long and loving marriage, sharing a bed does not always lead to a harmonious sleep environment," explains Jade Crooks, commercial director at DUSK, who commissioned the research.
But there are some important reasons we should be trying to foster a cohesive environment for co-sleeping.
"Sleep is vital for us to repair and regenerate for the day ahead," explains Cheryl Lythgoe, sleep expert and matron at Benenden Health.
"Many consider the quantity of sleep they get vitally important; however, the quality of our sleeping hours is equally important. When we have a ‘bed buddy’ who disrupts that sleep quality, it can lead to both night and daytime challenges."
Lythgoe says building lasting connections with our partners can often be fostered in the bedroom, as the intimacy of close contact, conversations, cuddles and kisses can improve the release of oxytocin, a hormone that supports lowering our stress levels and building trusting relationships.
"However, if your partner has a different body clock (circadian rhythm), a sleep disorder, or a differing comfort level of heat/mattresses, etc, it can certainly affect both people's quality and quantity of sleep," she adds.
Thankfully there are some ways to tackle any bedtime battles, so you don't have to swap your partner for your pet permanently.
How to avoid a sleep divorce
Implement a regular sleep schedule
According to Crooks this is an effective way to minimise annoying habits, but only if both partners are on board.
"The idea is to synchronise your sleep-wake cycles, promoting better sleep quality for you both," she advises.
Find a cohesive sleep environment
Warm or cool, hard or soft, everyone has their own unique preferences when it comes to sleeping, but there are some ways to ensure both partners are happy with their sleep environment.
“For starters it's worth making sure you’ve got the right mattress to accommodate both of your comfort preferences," advises Crooks.
"Finding the right type of mattress that properly supports each person, will help to minimise any sleep disturbances caused by tossing and turning all night."
You can also opt for larger duvets – or separate blankets entirely – if wrestling for the quilt cover has become a nightly battle.
"Otherwise known as the Scandi sleep method, sleeping with two duvets can also address any body temperature differences between you and your partner, ensuring no one gets too warm or too cold at night," Crooks adds.
Address your sleep differences
When your partner's a night owl and you’re a morning lark, Lythgoe suggests using an eye mask and ear plugs.
"This ensures you can both get the benefits that bedroom-based connections gives relationships, whilst still managing to get your quality and quantity of sleep," she explains.
Seek help
If your partner is tossing, turning or snoring all night then it's crucial for them to consider a trip to their primary care clinician, advises Lythgoe.
"Undiagnosed sleep disorders can create both mental and physical health problems, and it's important to address them promptly," she explains.
Be honest and open
Because sleep is so essential to wellbeing, Crooks says it is worth being completely honest with your partner about how their bedtime habits are impacting you.
"If their snoring or nightly twitching is keeping you awake, let them know so you can address it together," she advises. "Similarly, if it turns out that you are the annoying offender, be open to how you can change your habits for both your sakes.”
Lythgoe says it is primarily about being open and honest with your partner and having conversations about how to maintain your relationship connectivity without losing the marvellous health benefits provided by sleep.
Sleep: Read more
Dreams more vivid than usual right now? Here's why, and what they could mean (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read)
Why you shouldn't sleep on your front (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
How much sleep you need at different ages, from childhood to the later years (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read)
