Why these Salt Lake couples say sleep divorce is good for their relationship

Sleeping away from your partner — also known as sleep divorce — is becoming increasingly popular among couples.

Why it matters: A little separation could be the best thing for your health — and marriage.

State of play: We asked Axios Salt Lake City readers to share their experiences around sleep divorce.

What they're saying: Reader David T. told us he and his partner have slept in separate rooms for the last five years.

• "I don't think [we'll ever] go back," he wrote. "She is a light sleeper and I snore, but getting to sprawl out in an entire bed by yourself is glorious."

Yes, but: During vacations David enjoys sharing a bed, however, his partner does not get much sleep.

Sandy T. told Axios she and her husband's dogs helped facilitate their sleep divorce after their king-size bed began to feel crowded.

• Plus, her husband has insomnia and he claims she snores.
• The change has resulted in better sleep and "makes us better people overall."

The other side: One anonymous reader said it was difficult to accept their husband's decision to sleep in the basement and harder to explain to their daughter why they weren't sleeping in the same bed.

• "I kept it a secret and didn't want anyone to know. But as time went by, I got used to it and could even start to see some benefit," they wrote.

The big picture: Sleep is essential for "literally every system in your body," from metabolism to regulating emotion, Molly Atwood, a sleep psychologist at Johns Hopkins, says.

• Atwood says sleep divorce isn't a new phenomena, but it's becoming more normalized.

Reality check: Sleeping in separate rooms doesn't necessarily mean your relationship is on the rocks. "There shouldn't be any stigma attached to it," Atwood tells Axios.

Yes, but: Intimacy is also important for your health and relationship. Atwood suggests spending a little time in bed together before parting ways.

Pro tip: If you don't want to ditch your partner but are struggling with sleep, try investing in a bigger bed, setting your AC to 68-70 degrees or using a white noise machine.

• Atwood also recommends a vibrating wrist alarm when one partner has to wake up earlier.

The bottom line: Sleep is important , so there's no shame in the sleep divorce game.

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