You probably know that if you get under a certain number of hours of sleep, you’re going to be an irritable partner, parent, or coworker the next day. And beyond having less patience, poor sleep can really harm your health. When you’re not sleeping 7 to 9 hours per night, you’re more likely to struggle with memory issues, experience mood changes, have difficulty concentrating, get into an accident, gain weight, develop heart disease, and have a weakened immune system (via Healthline). It can even increase your risk of early death, according to a 2010 meta-analysis. If you’re sleeping next to a snoring partner or getting awakened by differing sleep schedules, you’re more at risk for these potential effects.
If you’re worried about the state of your sleep, try sleeping separately from your partner and see if your sleep improves (via The Healthy). When your sleep improves, you could see improvements in other areas of your life too, like your mood or sex drive. And while it might sound counterintuitive, even your relationship could improve by not sleeping in bed with your partner.
But is sleeping alone really better for you than sleeping next to someone you love? The Naturepedic study found that couples reported better sleep when snoozing separately from their partner, but that couples who slept alongside their partners reported healthier sex lives and more happiness in their relationships. How do you know which one is better for your relationship?