4 out of 5 people in relationships say their partner keeps them up at night

Earplugs, anyone?

A third of Americans look forward to nights when their partner isn’t home. Why? Because they get the bed to themselves, new research says.

The survey of 2,000 Americans who live with a partner found 36 per cent appreciate when either they or their partner isn’t at home, as they don’t have to share a bed.

Maybe that’s because the results show that four in five respondents (82 per cent) admit their partner’s sleeping habits consistently wake them up during the night.

Their partner snoring (52 per cent), scrolling through their phone before bed (33 per cent) and getting up at night to use the bathroom (33 per cent) were found to be the most common sleep-disruptive habits.

Not only that, but a quarter of respondents also deal with their partner hogging the covers (27 per cent), tossing and turning during the night (25 per cent) or “starfishing” across the bed (21 per cent).

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Avocado Green Mattress, the survey found that despite these annoyances, the majority of respondents aren’t quite ready to consider a “sleep divorce” from their partner.

36 per cent of those surveyed appreciate when they don’t have to share a bed with their partner. Image: iStock

Is sleep separately the solution?

Seventy-nine per cent of respondents share a bed with their partner, while the remaining 21 per cent either sleep in different rooms (10 per cent), sleep separately in the same room (5 per cent) or admit it “depends on the night” (6 per cent).

This varies dramatically by generation: only 2 per cent of Gen Zers surveyed said they sleep in a different room than their partner, compared to one in five baby boomers (18 per cent).

Regardless of generation, only a fifth (21 per cent) of those who currently share a bed believe they’ll sleep in separate beds in the future — but that’s not to say some couples haven’t found benefits in sleeping separately.

Results revealed that 42 per cent of those who sleep separately from their partner believe it’s “rejuvenated” their relationship — and 23 per cent believe it’s also improved their sex life with their partner.

Not only that but 70 per cent believe their quality of sleep has increased as a result of sleeping in a separate bed from their partner.

“If your partner snores, consider gifting them a wedge pillow. It can be hard to sleep when someone’s snoring in the same bed as you, but a wedge-shaped pillow can help reduce snoring throughout the night and ensure both you and your partner wake up feeling refreshed,” said Christine Carpio, Avocado’s Senior Manager of Community + Social Impact.

Is a ‘Sleep divorce’ really the only way to improve your slumber? Image: Pexels

Even if they’re not looking for a “sleep divorce,” 48 per cent of all respondents admit their sleep quality does improve when they’re sleeping in a bed alone, versus sleeping with their partner.

But they might not truly be alone — the survey also asked respondents if they have young children, under the age of six (20 per cent of respondents), or a dog or cat (38 per cent of respondents).

Of those respondents (74 per cent of the total), 24 per cent admitted they’d rather sleep with their child and/or their pet than they would their partner.

“The good news is, ‘sleep divorce’ isn’t the only way to improve the quality of your sleep. Investing in a mattress, pillows and bedding made of comfortable and supportive materials can improve sleep for you and your partner – as well as a child or a pet if they’re in bed with you – leading to less tossing and turning and significantly better sleep,” said Laura Scott, Avocado Green’s Director of Brand Marketing.

Originally published as 4 out of 5 people in relationships say their partner keeps them up at night