Separate Beds, Bedding May Help Couples Get a Better Night's Sleep

Many couples have sleep habits which keep each other awake at night, such as snoring. The Better Sleep Council, which gets funding from the mattress industry, performed a survey of about 1,000 Americans and discoverd that about one-third reported that their partner's sleep habits had a negative effect on their sleep. However, there are a number of creative and effective solutions to these types of problems.

Snoring is a very common problem among couples, and some have found relief by using an anti-snoring pillow. Several manufacturers offer pillows which are designed to help reduce snoring by helping to keep open a sleeper's airway.

Also, it can be a good idea to use bedsheets that have a high thread count in order to maximize comfort, a mid-weight comforter to account for different temperature preferences, and beds that specifically address partners' different requirements.

That could mean using two mattresses, placed side by side. Some companies offer similar types of solutions where each person has a separate mattress and they are able to select its firmness.

Sleeping apart is often a less than ideal solution. It can contribute to a feeling of being disconnected. Getting sufficient sleep is very important, but so is maintaining the emotional connection from sleeping together. Many couples beging the night sleeping next to each other, then move away if one person starts moving, snoring, etc.

Also, things like using separate blankets and alarm clocks can help make a difference. Many copules prefer different temperatures at night and have different sleep schedules. If one person prefers to be warmer, that person can sleep with an electric blanket on their side of the bed, while the other partner can sleep cooler. If one partner sleeps later, the other person can uses a soothing alarm clock that doesn't wake the other person.

Snoring can not only disturb the other partner, also keep the snorer from getting a good night's sleep. Getting fitted with a mouthpiece designed to open the snorer's throat is a common solution.