A woman turned to UK forum Mumsnet seeking advice on a “sleep divorce” after years of restless nights. She explained that her husband’s habits—fidgeting from a shoulder ache, snoring, farting, frequent bathroom trips, pulling the duvet, and early alarms—make sleep unbearable. Despite suggestions to reduce fluids before bedtime, he refuses to change, leaving her exhausted and struggling to stay alert during the day. Worried about hurting his feelings, she still wants separate beds, fearing health consequences from broken sleep. Online, users encouraged prioritising rest, sharing that sleeping apart improved their wellbeing. Some suggested easing the transition by sharing the bed occasionally, while emphasising that one partner’s comfort shouldn’t come at the cost of the other’s health.
ResMed’s 2025 Global Sleep Survey found that India leads in “sleep divorce,” with 78% of couples practising it, followed by China at 67% and South Korea at 65%. Conducted across 13 countries with over 30,000 participants, the survey highlighted a global sleep crisis. In the UK and the US, couples are evenly divided, with 50% always sharing a bed and 50% sometimes opting to sleep separately.
