One in four couples don't believe they are 'sleep compatible', study finds

12 October 2023 , 15:17

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Snoring is the top reason why couples sleep apart (Image: Henri Voton/Getty Images)

One in four couples (24%) don't believe they are "sleep compatible" – with 15% having a permanent "sleep divorce" arrangement, where they sleep in separate rooms every night.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of adults in a relationship claim they get under five hours of good-quality sleep each night, when sharing a bed with their partner.

And one in five (21%), of the 2,000 coupled-up adults polled, say they are dissatisfied with their overall sleep quality – as 16% rarely feel well-rested after sharing a bed.

As a result, half of couples have slept in different rooms at some point in their relationship – with one in ten (9%) doing so at least twice a week.

The top reasons for this include snoring (71%), fidgeting (35%), and constant waking up in the night (30%).

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It also emerged 54% go to sleep at different times from their other half, rather than at the same time – with women tending to get their head down earlier than men.

The study was commissioned by Samsung, makers of the Galaxy Watch6, which has improved sleep functionality. And clinical psychologist, Dr. Julie Smith, has teamed up with the electronics brand to help couples understand their sleeping habits.

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She said: "It seems a shame to resort to sleep divorce to get a good night’s sleep, when neither of you would otherwise choose to sleep apart.

"So, if one or both partners are disturbing the sleep of the other, it makes sense to work out which of your habits around sleep might be making that worse.

"The good news is that many of these bad sleeping habits are fixable, without having to resort to sleeping apart."

However, the research also found that one in six reckon their sleep quality improves on weekends, compared to weekdays.

And despite their struggles, 77% believe it’s important to sleep next to and wake up with their partner, with half claiming they never argue about sleeping arrangements.

Meanwhile, 45% feel getting a better night’s sleep with their partner would positively improve their relations, according to the Samsung survey, carried out via OnePoll.

Besides sleeping in different beds, 35% address these issues through open communication and compromise – but 13% simply ignore them.

However, 62% believe finding a solution to their sleep-related issues, which doesn’t result in sleeping separately, is important.

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It also emerged 76% have never tried any sleep improvement techniques – but 29% would be willing to trial something, such as a tracking or sleep coaching device.

Andrew Young