It’s meant to be a refuge, a place of sleep, harmony and intimacy, but for many long-term couples their bed has become a battleground. Snoring, tossing and turning, insomnia, blanket hogging and body heat spell doom for a good night’s sleep – and a new study shows more and more people are opting for a “sleep divorce” to get enough rest.
At least 200 000 Australian couples not only sleep in separate beds but in different bedrooms, the study found. Research conducted in the USA had similar findings: up to 25% of couples sleep apart and the home-construction industry recently reported a surge in requests for two separate master bedrooms in new homes.
Cape Town couple Elizabeth* and John* can understand the growing trend. They opted for a sleep divorce soon after their wedding in the early ’90s and believe it’s strengthened their relationship.
