Sleep divorce: Why some couples are opting to break up at bedtime

globalnews.ca:

sleep divorce,” it’s a trend that’s allowing couples to wake up refreshed and still in a relationship, even if it’s from different beds or rooms.“Sleep divorce refers to when two people in an intimate relationship decide to have a sleeping arrangement where they’re not in the same bed. They may be in the same room, but technically, they’re just not in the same bed,” explained Dr.

Saunia Ahmad, a clinical psychologist and director of the Toronto Psychology Clinic.“The term divorce obviously has a negative connotation, but it really doesn’t have to be a negative decision.“In fact, couples will decide to have a sleeping arrangement where they’re sleeping in separate rooms to improve their sleep and improve their relationship.”Ahmad said she prefers to use the term “co-regulating” your sleep, as it can be a positive way of coping with the fact that two people have different patterns when it comes to sleepingSo, if you and your partner have been sleeping in separate beds (or have talked about it) for the sake of better snooze, Ahmad says not to worry — it’s quite normal and can even improve the quality of your relationship.This is exactly what Dana Infald, 41, and her husband decided to do a few years ago.After countless nights of disrupted sleep because of his tossing, turning and snoring, they realized it was time for a change. So, they embraced the idea of sleeping apart to finally get the rest they both needed.“It was like he was an acrobat in his sleep and over time it got worse.