Forcing bedtime with your partner can backfire on both of you
Alix Mellor's Monash research found that trying to sleep before you're sleepy can fuel insomnia.
Trying to fall asleep before your body is ready can fuel insomnia, not fix it. Your body wants to sleep at a set time.
That's your sleep chronotype. Fighting that natural rhythm leads to insomnia.
Sharing a bed adds issues. Movements, snoring and bathroom trips all disturb your partner's sleep.
Surprisingly, some couples sleeping together actually get more REM sleep and better matched sleep cycles. Practical solutions include using separate quilts, controlling bedroom temperature and choosing mattresses that absorb movement.
If sleep loss persists, sleeping in separate rooms can improve both partners' rest without hurting intimacy. Couples can maintain closeness through evening time together or cuddling before bed.
Why it mattersIf you're losing sleep from different schedules, respect your body's natural rhythm. This could improve your rest and your relationship.
AustraliaMonash University research shows Australian couples can improve sleep by ditching the synchronized-bedtime myth; separate rooms are healthier than often assumed.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 d ago
