Can Sleep Divorce Harm Your Relationship?

Picture this: You are happily married, but every single night, you sleep alone. Sounds confusing? Let us explain. We are talking about couples who are choosing to sleep separately. And no, this is not because of any argument or marital issues – it is the couple’s choice to do so. This is called sleep divorce. It is an emerging trend all over the world. And you will be shocked to know, India is picking up on this trend more than ever. There are various factors that can make couples opt for this sleeping arrangement.

Sleep divorce has been hailed by many for being a progressive setting that respects a couple’s individual spaces and boundaries. But can sleep divorce harm your relationship? Today, we will attempt to answer this for you.

The editorial team of OnlyMyHealth reached out to Dr Divya Shree KR, Consultant – Psychiatry, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, to get a comprehensive picture on this. Read ahead.

What Is Sleep Divorce?

Let us start by attempting to understand the true essence of sleep divorce. Many people think of it as a negative setup, because it has the word ‘divorce’ attached to it. But let us clear the air – it is not associated with any discord or relationship issues. Sleep divorce is a setup chosen by couples, who are consciously choosing to sleep in separate bedrooms, beds or to have a different kind of sleeping arrangement.

On this note, let us take a look at the benefits of sleep divorce:

Personal Space – Sleep divorce gives couples the chance to sleep on their own schedules. One doesn’t need to fit into another’s routine. It also gives them their own space and time to rewind after a hectic day at work.

Lesser Arguments – Many couples often fight about trivial matters like which side of the bed to sleep on, or who is monopolising over the blanket at night. Not only this, one partner’s bad mood at night can often affect the other one – and this may escalate into a fight. Sleeping separately can also lessen such fights.

Intentional Relationship – When a couple intentionally decides to not sleep together, they respect each other’s boundaries and it allows space for the relationship to grow.

Some of the probable cons of sleep divorce include:

• It may decrease intimacy.
• It may hurt your sex life.
• It may be expensive.
• It may be lonely.
• It may feed insecurities.
• It may foster resentment.

Study Shows Sleep Divorce's Demand In India

A study, released this year, discovered that over 70% of Indian couples are opting for sleep divorce. The findings were made by ResMed's 2025 Global Sleep Survey. The survey also stated that India leads in sleep divorce globally — with 78% of couples opting for the setup. This is followed by China (67%) and South Korea (65%).

The study surveyed over 30,000 individuals across 13 markets. One of the main reasons cited in the report were sleep disturbances including one partner's snoring, loud breathing, or gasping for air (32%), restlessness (12%), mismatched sleep schedules (10%), and screen use in bed (8%).

Also Read: Is Instagram Ruining Your Relationship Without You Realising It? Here’s What Experts Want You to Know

Can Sleep Divorce Harm Your Relationship?

Now, let us address the main question – can sleep divorce harm your relationship? Our expert answers this for you.

“The sleep divorce trend, where couples choose to sleep in separate beds or rooms, is not always harmful for a relationship. Some couples do it to improve sleep quality, especially if one partner snores, moves too much, or has a different sleep schedule. Better rest can reduce irritability and fights, which may actually strengthen the relationship,” answers Dr Shree KR.

She adds, “However, for some couples, sleeping apart can reduce physical closeness and emotional bonding over time. It may also limit moments of affection and comfort that come naturally when sharing a bed. In simple words, a sleep divorce is not bad if both partners agree and stay emotionally connected, but regular communication and intimacy are important to keep the relationship strong.”

Can Sleeping Together Deepen A Couple’s Bond?

Dr Shree KR speaks about the importance of sleeping together for a couple. “Sleeping together can deepen your bond with your partner. When couples share a bed, physical closeness and gentle touch release oxytocin — the ‘love hormone’, which builds trust, comfort, and emotional connection,” she explains.

The expert adds, “Sleeping side by side also creates a sense of safety and warmth, helping both partners feel secure and loved. This closeness improves communication and understanding, making it easier to handle stress or disagreements. It also strengthens intimacy, as quiet moments before sleep often allow couples to talk and share feelings. In simple words, sleeping together helps couples feel more connected, loved, and emotionally close, which deepens the bond and makes the relationship happier and stronger over time.”

Tips For Improving Sleep Schedule For Couples

Dr Shree KR shares some simple hacks that couples can adopt to improve their sleep routine:

• To get better sleep together, couples should first set a similar bedtime to match their sleep rhythms.
• Keep the room cool, dark, and quiet to create a peaceful environment.
• Choose a comfortable mattress and pillows that support both partners.
• Avoid using phones or watching TV before sleeping, as light from screens can disturb rest.
• If one partner snores or moves too much, try using earplugs, white noise, or a bigger bed for more space.
• Maintain open communication about sleep habits and comfort needs.
• Practicing a bedtime routine like light talking or cuddling can help both relax.
• In simple words, comfort, understanding, and good sleep habits together make rest peaceful and bonding stronger.”

Also Read: Can The 777 Rule Make Your Relationships Better?

The Final Word

Sleep divorce is a setup chosen by couples, who are consciously choosing to sleep in separate bedrooms, beds or to have a different kind of sleeping arrangement. This can only harm your relationship if the couple is not on the same page or if this setup is making them distant. Rest, sleep divorce is preferred by many couples and has a plethora of benefits.