For couples who have trouble sleeping together, the stigma of separate beds may be changing.
The time is 4 a.m. on the clock. You’re counting sheep and counting down the hours before the alarm goes off while riding in the car. Your mind is blank, but your bedroom feng shui is wildly out of whack. But it’s not the room’s temperature or a thunderstorm that’s keeping you awake; it’s the person sleeping sweetly next to you.
One approach to describe the problem is as nocturnal disruptions. Because anything is encroaching on your body, your sleep becomes disrupted. It could be that your mental or spiritual well-being is in jeopardy, but what if the invasion is beyond your control?
Snoring, sleep chatting, sleepwalking, poor hygiene, or tossing and turning are just a few of the causes of a bedroom divorce. Each disturbance might cause marital tension, resulting in disputes or sexual difficulties.
By breaking the social convention of a couple sharing a bedroom and bed, both partners will benefit from a restful night’s sleep, which will help them maintain a strong relationship. It doesn’t mean abandoning the concepts of love, intimacy, or sexual interactions; rather, it means addressing the issue that may be causing irritability or anger as a result of a lack of sleep.
For some couples, this is a mutual decision that has little bearing on their core relationship; for others, it is never mentioned for fear of hurting their partner’s feelings.
Consider how you might make your shared bedroom a relaxing haven for you and your partner. When you’re out of options and need professional assistance, knowing what to track for your doctor will come in handy. Begin keeping a sleep journal to bring to your visit.
- What time to get up and what time you to go to bed
- When was the last time you ate and what did you eat?
- Season and temperature of the room
- How exhausted were you at work?
- Your most recent alcoholic beverage (water, caffeine)
- Medications you’ve taken
- The time of day and the amount of activity you get during the day are important factors to consider.
If you live in the Caribbean and want to see if a sleep consultation is right for you, contact ISD Health Solutions for a free 15-minute phone consultation with a qualified sleep therapist who can help determine which sleep therapy is necessary for you or if a follow-up consultation with our sleep specialist needs to be scheduled.