Don’t Enter a (Sleep) Separation: Uncover the Scandinavian Secrets of Getting a Good Night’s Sleep with Your Partner

Posted on 14th August 2023

Over 30 million couples have claimed they have difficulties sleeping when sharing a bed with their partner. So much so that over half consider sleeping in separate beds.

We love our partners, but we love sleep more. And sharing a bed is causing some friction in the sheets.

But some people know how to do it right with the Scandinavian sleep hack saving couples from (sleep) separation.

Why struggling to sleep is difficult on relationships

Even on a king size mattress, sharing your bed with your significant other can be difficult. From stolen duvet covers and snoring to starfish sleeping positions, we all know someone who loves to hog the bed.

But struggling to get a good night’s sleep could be putting additional strain on your relationship.

Isaah Reece, operations manager at Winstons Beds says: “Getting an undisturbed night’s sleep can be difficult when you share a bed with your partner every night. Your love for someone can quickly turn to contempt when you want them to roll over and breathe in the opposite direction!

“And not only does the strain last throughout the night but the affects of poor sleep can stretch into your daily lives. A lack in quality sleep can lead to an increase in mood swings and mental health symptoms. This can negatively impact your relationship with disagreements being more likely.

“Lower levels of sleep are also connected to losing focus easily. No one wants to think they aren’t being listened to in their relationship but finding the energy to pay attention after a bad night’s sleep can be too much.”

What is the Scandinavian sleep hack

The sleep hack, which is common practice in Scandinavia, is simple. Most couples in northern Europe actually have two duvets per bed.

Instead of the endless tug-of-war you and your partner have at night, these couples get to sleep peacefully knowing their comforter is their own and won’t be stolen in the middle of the night, leaving them out in the cold.

Rather than having two beds, treat the one bed like two individual areas. This can help when it comes to both different temperature and firmness preferences.

In fact, 50% of couples disagree on the correct, and most comfortable, temperature to sleep in! So if you are a hot sleeper and they are a cold, finding a happy medium can be difficult.

Isaah says: “Having separate duvets means you can control your own temperature without worrying about causing your partner too much discomfort.

“And for some, you might have different comfort levels than your partner. Treating the two sides of the bed as separate zones means you can even find a zip and link mattress which combines two different firmness levels so that you both get your optimal comfort – and makes sure you stick to your own sides!”

Gone are the mid-night arguments about who has most of the cover or is stretching too far across the bed. This hack means that you are your partner can sleep in comfort, with your own preferences. While compromising is a key skill for couples, you shouldn’t have to compromise on your sleeping comfort and being a bit selfish when it comes to sleep could save you from couple’s bickering during the daytime too.