Co-sleeping: How Far Would You Go To Get Better Sleep?
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Posted on Jun 22, 2023, 7 p.m.
Do you co-sleep, are you always tired, and what would you be willing to do to change that? According to a random double opt-in survey of 2,000 adults living with partners conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Serta Simmons Bedding, half of American couples are willing to sleep in separate beds in order to get a good night of sleep. This may be because this survey also revealed that for one reason or another, the average cohabiting person gets less than 4 nights of good sleep per week.
Willingness to sleep in separate beds does not mean that couples don’t appreciate having quality time, 42% of the respondents reported that they prefer going to bed at the same time as their partner, 28% watch movies or TV together before going to bed, 28% spend the time before bed to discuss their day, and 53% prefer to cuddle with their partners when they are ready to get into bed.
Co-sleeping does have its fair share of sleep disruptors though, 35% report that their partner stealing the bedding is their biggest annoyance, another 35% say that they can’t get any sleep because their partner is constantly tossing and turning waking them up, 28% can’t get enough sleep because their partner sleeps with the TV on, 28% are kept awake by their partner serenading them with snoring, and 27% find it very difficult to sleep because their partners sleep with lights on.
Some people have issues other than their partner's sleep habits to contend with as well, such as parents. 37% of parent responders report that their children have snuck into their beds on at least two nights a week, and 20% of parent respondents report said that they get woken up by a little minion climbing into their bed at least three times a week.
“Great sleep is grounded in maintaining a strong sleep routine, whether you sleep on your own or co-sleep,” says head of sleep experience at Serta Simmons Bedding JD Velilla, in a statement. “For those who are looking to optimize co-sleeping, it’s important to work with your partner to commit to good sleep habits including regular sleep and wake times and minimizing light before bedtime. I also suggest removing unnecessary distractions from the bedroom, transforming it into a sleep sanctuary.”
Sleep habits typically start developing during childhood, and most people are creatures of habit. 64% of respondents reported that they shower before bed, and 58% said that they would be bothered if their partner did not shower before bed as well. 40% said that they still sleep on their side of the bed when their partner is away, and when they are away 45% said that they still sleep on their side of the bed.
56% of the respondents said that they grew up sharing a room, and 86% of them feel that this helped to prepare to share a room with a partner. 52% of the respondents said that they grew up with a blankie or snuggie, and 77% of them reported that they still like to hug a pillow or stuffed animal when they sleep even when their partner is there, which means that 40% of adults still like their stuffy.
Other than sleeping in separate beds 36% of the respondents thought that getting a better/new mattress might help them get more sleep, 34% think that getting better/new pillows would probably contribute to more sound sleep, and 29% reported that getting a bigger bed as another possible solution.
“Many people co-sleep and with that comes a natural set of sleep disruptors,” adds Velilla. “Individuals who co-sleep can look for solutions that minimize those disruptions, from features that address motion transfer to avoid middle-of-the-night wake ups to cooling technology that becomes that much more essential when sharing a bed.”
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
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