{"id":25334,"date":"2019-09-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-13T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/common-couples-sleep-problems\/"},"modified":"2023-08-29T14:54:52","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T14:54:52","slug":"common-couples-sleep-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/common-couples-sleep-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Biggest Sleep Issues Couples Experience\u2014and How to Deal With Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It’s not always easy to share a bed with someone else. In fact, a Saatva survey<\/a> found that issues like snoring<\/a>, sheet-stealing, pets in the bed, and mattress comfort level disagreements are just a few of the issues that plague partners trying to get shut-eye together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The Better Sleep Council reports that on average, one in three Americans say that their bed partner negatively impacts their sleep<\/a>. All that lost sleep can have big consequences. \u201cYour relationships, your health, your well-being, and quality of life depend upon sufficient sleep,” explains Terry Cralle, RN, certified clinical sleep educator. \u201cCouples should optimize their sleep quality to ensure a great relationship.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready for some help? Whether you sleep with a Sheet Stealer, a Night Owl, or a Constant Cuddler, many of the difficulties of sleeping with a partner<\/a> can be overcome. Here are eight common scenarios and what to do about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The snorer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, snoring wins the award for being the most common sleep disruptor among couples. \u201cA non-snoring bed partner can wake up as many as 20 times per hour as the result of a snoring bed partner,” says Calle. That can add up to an average of an hour of lost sleep every night!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do: <\/strong>For some relief, the snorer can try avoiding alcohol in the evenings<\/a>, sleeping on their side, or elevating their head at night. A partner can try earplugs or a white noise machine<\/a>. While occasional snoring may be a mere inconvenience, heavy, consistent snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea<\/a>, which should be addressed by a sleep professional. (It’s often the non-snorer who is the reason sleep apnea is diagnosed since the snorer isn’t aware of their condition<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encouraging your snoring partner to meet with a healthcare professional to assess the situation helps everyone enjoy improved quality\u2014and quantity\u2014of sleep. One study found that when the snorer received treatment to lessen snoring, the amount of sleep their partner got increased by 13%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sheet-stealer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve ever woken up in the middle of the night, huddled in the fetal position with nary a sheet to keep you warm, you may be sleeping with a sheet-stealer. According to our survey, sheet-stealing clocked in as the second biggest pet peeve of co-sleeping couples\u2014something that Tammy Staley, a travel blogger in Michigan, knows all too well. \u201cI have been married for almost 29 years, and getting sleep has been a major issue for most of my marriage,” says Staley. \u201cMy partner would steal all the covers and yell at me as if I had done it!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do: <\/strong>Even when Staley tried adding more blankets to the bed, those too would end up on her partner’s side. \u201cMy final solution was that we now sleep in separate twin size beds. They are right next to each other and look like a king.” The one key difference: Staley and her partner each have their own sets of sheets and blankets. \u201cThis has solved all our problems, and I sleep like a baby every night.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em><\/strong>The best mattress for your marriage<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The too-hot sleeper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You like the windows open. Your partner likes them closed. Or perhaps you like the thick down comforter all year while your partner prefers to sleep with just a sheet. Temperature conflicts<\/a> can become big issues when you’re sharing the same bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do: <\/strong>When it comes to room temperature, the best solution is compromise: You’ll wear warmer PJs and socks, and your partner can agree to keep the window open a few inches instead of all the way. But temperature differences can also be addressed with changes to the bed itself. Certain mattresses like innerspring<\/a> and hybrid are better at allowing air to circulate and therefore sleep cooler. Some bedding options like bamboo or organic cotton sheets are more breathable and better at helping to regulate body temperature. Still can’t compromise? Look for a mattress with dual-zoned temperature controls that will allow each sleeper to keep their side as cool\u2014or warm\u2014as they like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The constant cuddler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cuddling in bed sounds nice, right? For some, spooning is the perfect way to drift off into la-la land. For others, more than five minutes of cuddling leads to feelings of claustrophobia. Some research has suggested that sleeping with a partner in close contact may reduce the stress hormone cortisol and boost oxytocin<\/a>, the so-called \u201cfeel-good hormone” that is responsible for feeling connected\u2014it may also reduce anxiety, says Cralle. But that doesn’t mean that you have to spoon all night if it’s keeping you from getting some much-needed shut-eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do:<\/strong> If your partner likes to cuddle, set aside the first 5-10 minutes in bed for it. Or consider being the spoon-er instead of the spoon-ee, which may make it easier to detach without waking your partner. Another option? Invest in a body pillow for your partner if they enjoy having something to hold all night. \u201cWhile having a bed partner may promote feelings of safety and security, don’t be apologetic for your need for sleep,” advises Calle. \u201cSleep is a biological need\u2014not a luxury.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The firm sleeper vs. the plush sleeper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vanilla vs. Rocky Road. Pizza with pepperoni vs. one with pineapple. With all the variation among our likes and dislikes, what are the chances that both you and your partner are going to like the same mattress? This was Miroslava Rakicevic’s sleep issue. \u201cMy partner likes a firm mattress, while I prefer a soft to medium soft bed since otherwise, I wake up with aches and pains in my shoulders and hips<\/a>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do: <\/strong>Luckily, mattress companies are listening, and couples no longer have to settle for an in-between option that doesn’t leave either party fully satisfied. \u201cFortunately, there are a number of brands offering customizable mattresses,” says Rakicevic. \u201cWe bought a mattress with dual firmness\u2014his side is firm and mine is soft and we’re both happy.” Beds with adjustable air chambers<\/a> allow each sleeper to make their side as firm or as soft as they like. Or consider buying two twin XL mattresses, which can be an ideal option for light sleepers who want to minimize motion transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em><\/strong>Plush vs. firm: Which mattress comfort level is right for you?<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The early bird vs. the night owl<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having different sleep schedules<\/a> due to work, biology, or habit can put a strain on a relationship. The jostling of a \u201cnight owl” getting into bed two or three hours later may wake their partner up, interrupting the sleep cycle. An \u201cearly bird” going for a 6 a.m. run may rouse a bed partner before they were ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s not just your sleep that is impacted. A study of 150 couples showed that those with mismatched wake and sleep patterns were more likely to have relationship difficulties<\/a> including more conflict, fewer conversations, and less sex. Unfortunately, this bed partner sleep issue is trickier to solve. While some couples may try to compromise their preferred sleep\/wake times an hour in either direction, your chronotype<\/a>\u2014the display of your body’s natural circadian rhythms\u2014is built into your DNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do: <\/strong>Instead of attempting to change an early bird or a night owl, try to mitigate the sleep distractions from the mismatched sleep schedule. Move the night owl’s toothbrush to the guest bathroom. Grease the squeaky bedroom door. Ask the early bird to leave workout clothes in the living room. Consider a mattress with limited motion transfer. If that’s not enough, you may want to consider sleeping in separate rooms. While a \u201csleep divorce” may sound drastic, an estimated 25% of American couples sleep in separate bedrooms, according to a National Sleep Foundation survey. \u201cSleeping separately<\/a> does not indicate a bad relationship or a lack of romance,” explains Calle. \u201cIncompatible sleepers does not mean incompatible partners.” Think of it this way: A well-rested partner is likely to be a better partner all around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pet snuggler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you sleep with a furry friend? According to one study, 56% of dog owners sleep with their pet in close proximity;<\/a> at least half allow the dog directly on the bed. If Whiskers, Bowser, or Sadie regularly makes their bed in yours, you may be risking a good night’s sleep for both you and your partner. A human bed partner can be distracting enough\u2014add in dog snores, collar jingling, and the occasional dream-induced growling, and you could be headed for trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the presence of your pet is prohibiting a good night’s sleep, it’s important to weigh the consequences, says Cralle. \u201cIt comes down to just how serious the matter of sufficient sleep is to our health, well-being, and quality of life. Regularly disturbed sleep because of a pet could lead to serious health problems.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do:<\/strong> If you can’t bear to leave Fido alone for the night, then at least get him his own bed<\/a>. A 2017 study found that while sleepers with a dog in the bedroom were still able to get sufficient shut-eye, those with a dog who slept on the bed got less sleep<\/a>. Pick up a sleep pad for your furry friend and help everyone get a better night’s sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em><\/strong>5 ways to keep your pet from ruining your sleep<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The constant mover<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a mattress of a certain age, you know the sensation of feeling every single movement your partner makes. Whether it’s rolling into bed at night, getting up to use the bathroom, or just turning over in the middle of the night, beds with high motion transfer will share every single jiggle and jostle with your bed partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And these little disturbances do matter, especially for women. A study of more than 5,000 women found that unintentional nighttime actions from a bed partner like snoring, tossing and turning, or getting out of bed to use the bathroom were more disturbing for women’s sleep<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do:<\/strong> \u201cThis is where I say mattresses matter!” Cralle points out. \u201cDefinitely consider motion transfer when shopping for a mattress\u2014and if you have a bed partner, invest in the largest mattress that your bedroom will accommodate.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try a thicker mattress, which will absorb more movement than a thinner mattress, or consider a mattress made out of memory foam<\/a> or latex<\/a>, both of which excel at preventing motion transfer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Our best mattresses and adjustable base for couples<\/p>\n \n \n \n

\n \n \"saatva\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Saatva Classic Innerspring Mattress<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

Our flagship luxury mattress is expertly engineered with coil-on-coil construction for durability, a layer of memory foam for enhanced back support, and a cushiony Euro pillow top for extra comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n \"saatva\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Contour5 Mattress<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

Luxurious body-hugging feel and pressure relief with 3\u201d of ultra-premium, high-density 5-lb memory foam. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n \"zenhaven\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Zenhaven Latex Mattress<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

Natural latex responds to every curve for pressure-free support and responsive comfort. Natural latex is supple, resilient, and durable, for the ultimate in elevated sleep. (It’s naturally hypoallergenic too.)<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n \"solaire\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

Featuring precise 50 firmness settings on each side of the bed for personal customization. Natural latex and gel-infused memory foam layers provide luxurious comfort and support.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n \"saatva\n <\/a>\n\n \n

\n Adjustable Base Plus<\/a>\n <\/h4>\n\n \n

With weightless, Zero Gravity support, the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus allows you to set your ideal position for sleeping\u2014and living\u2014with one touch of the remote.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n Shop Now\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Ready to invest in a new bed with your partner? Follow these mattress-buying tips for couples<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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