This sleep method is a lifesaver for people who cannot sleep well together
Sleeping in the same bed as your partner can make you feel safer and more connected, but did you also know that couples who sleep together don’t always sleep better? Sharing a bed with someone who keeps stealing the covers or constantly pushing you out of your spot can seriously disrupt your sleep, which in turn affects your overall health. One strategy you can try if things aren’t going well between you and your partner in bed is the Scandinavian sleep method. Here, you share a bed but each have your own blanket. This is especially common in Scandinavia and according to experts, there are many benefits to it.
Here’s how it works: make your bed as you normally would, but both choose a different blanket and make sure you both have enough pillows that suit your needs. For example, my boyfriend prefers to sleep under a thin blanket and before he met me, he only had flat, hard pillows. I, on the other hand, prefer to sleep under a warm down blanket with as many fluffy pillows as possible. It’s important that you choose what you find most comfortable to sleep on and under. Because this method allows for individual sleep preferences, it has many advantages.
No more fights over blankets
The most obvious benefit is that this sleep method prevents partners from tugging at the blankets at night, which can cause a lot of movement. This disrupts your sleep pattern and you wake up anything but rested. By applying the Scandinavian sleep method, this problem is immediately solved.
No more discussions about temperature
What is it with all those men who seem to be walking heaters? I find it very cozy, but the heat that always comes off my husband is really not normal. This method is perfect for that and prevents discussions about temperature because each partner can choose the weight and material of their own duvet.
Personal space
This method is great for couples who want to share a bed but don’t want to literally sleep on top of each other. You’re close together, but you also maintain your own personal space.
According to research, the majority of adults sleep with a partner. However, this was not always the case. Less than 200 years ago, it was common for couples to sleep apart. Sleeping in separate beds or bedrooms was seen as healthier and a symbol of wealth or status. In the Victorian era, those who could afford it slept separately, and sleeping together was really something for poor families who couldn’t afford houses with multiple rooms. Now, couples primarily sleep together, while research generally shows that when people share a bed, they always sleep a little worse.
Interestingly, subjective research often tells a different story. When asked whether people prefer to sleep alone or with their partner, most people from those same studies will say they sleep better with their partner. This is because we derive a sense of safety and comfort from sleeping with a partner. Cuddling can stimulate the release of oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, which promotes positive feelings and a sense of relaxation. This is all beneficial for falling asleep.
Whether it’s really better for you to apply this sleep method can only be determined by yourself. One thing is for sure: if you’re looking for something to minimize your sleep problems, it’s worth a try.
Source: Today.com
