Change is an unbreakable law of nature, just as cold winters come after summer, then the rainy season begins, similarly changing weather is absolutely normal. But the surprising thing is that with time our relationships also keep changing because the person himself changes, the circumstances of his life change, and his thoughts also change. Sometimes these changes become so serious that relationships reach the verge of breaking. Then people start making various efforts to save these relationships, sometimes by negotiation, sometimes by compromise, and sometimes by adopting new habits.
Amidst these efforts, a new trend is becoming very popular these days, whose name is ‘Sleep Divorce’. Meaning, sleeping separately! Yes, now working couples are making both their personal life and professional life strong and balanced by adopting this method. Due to this, the small fights between them are reducing and they are also getting adequate sleep. Some people are calling it very good, while some are considering it dangerous for the relationship. Now the question arises that is this sleep divorce? What are its advantages and disadvantages? And why is this trend spreading so fast, especially in cities?
The meaning of sleep divorce is very simple, couples prefer to sleep in separate beds or different rooms instead of sleeping together at night. This is not a divorce, but just a different way of sleeping, so that both of them get good sleep and wake up refreshed in the morning. Today’s hectic lifestyle and work culture has given rise to this trend. Just imagine, one partner has a habit of snoring, while the other remains disturbed throughout the night. If someone works night shift, he comes home late at night and by switching on the lights or making noise, the other person’s sleep is disrupted. One keeps scrolling on the phone for hours, while the other has bad eyesight due to blue light. Such small habits become the cause of daily fights. Fatigue, irritability as soon as you wake up in the morning, and then poor performance in office! Well, the easiest solution to this problem is sleep divorce.
This trend is increasing very fast especially in big cities. It has become difficult for working couples to balance home and office. Instead of working all day, household chores in the evening, and fighting for sleep at night, it is better to find peace by sleeping separately. When the water goes above the head and the situation of separation arises, then sleep divorce is proving to be a good option.
What does research say about sleep divorce?
This idea first became popular in countries like America, and now people in India too are happily adopting it. A 2024 research by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine shows that about 29 percent of American couples prefer to sleep in a separate room from their partner at night. Whereas in 2023 this number was only 20 percent. Meaning, an increase of 9 percent in just one year! Talking about India, this trend is on top here. According to a study by the Sleep Foundation (sleepfoundation.org), 53 percent of people who adopted sleep divorce got much better sleep. Couples who sleep separately get an average of 37 minutes more sleep each night than those who sleep together, and about 78 percent of people in India are now following this method. These figures show that lack of sleep has become a big problem, and sleep divorce is an effective treatment for it.
Friends, the two most important things for our body to function are good food and complete sleep. If sleep is not complete, the whole day gets spoiled, mood gets spoiled, and relationships also get spoiled. Adopting sleep divorce provides these benefits:
Better sleep and health: No tension of snoring, movement, light or sound by sleeping separately. You feel fresh as soon as you wake up in the morning, which keeps you energetic throughout the day.
fights are less: There is no fighting over small things. If both are happy, the relationship becomes stronger.
Productivity increases: Good sleep leads to better performance in the office, and everything is handled easily at home too.
reduce stress: When both remain stress free, they are able to give more love and support to each other. The secret of a happy married life is – sleep separately, but live together! That is, do not consider sleep divorce as the end of the relationship, rather consider it as a smart way which makes your life easier.
Every coin has two sides, sleep divorce also has some disadvantages, which do not make it perfect for every couple.
Emotional distance increasesSleeping together in the bedroom means cuddling and talking, sharing complaints, expressing love – all this happens. This brings depth to the relationship. But sleeping separately reduces these opportunities, and gradually the distance from each other starts increasing.
romance subsides: Night time is the most private time for couples. Sleeping in separate rooms affects intimacy, sex life can become boring, and that spark gets missing in married life.
fear of increasing conflict: The whole day in office, household work, then sleeping separately at night, when will we talk? When will we understand each other? Due to this, small problems become bigger, and the relationship can become weak.
Society pressure: What will people say in a country like India? What will the family think? Thinking this, many couples are afraid to adopt it.
