How a “Sleep Divorce” Can Prevent Legal Divorce

Many studies exist surrounding the reasons that married couples decide to file for divorce. For instance, issues in the marriage such as communication problems between the spouses or financial difficulties often make the top of such lists. But could a “sleep divorce” be a way to help mend problems in a marriage? According to a recent article in Global News, a new study conducted by researchers at the Sleep and Depression Laboratory at Ryerson University suggests that it could.

What is a “sleep divorce,” and how might it help your marriage in order to stave off divorce? And, is a sleep divorce a long-term solution, or are its benefits only temporary?

What is a Sleep Divorce?

A sleep divorce simply means sleeping apart from your spouse. Generally speaking, we tend to think of such a sleep arrangement as unconventional. While the article underscores that when we imagine unconventional sleeping arrangements in a marriage, images of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo sleeping in their different beds might appear yet, as is actually the case, that 1950s model isn’t so antiquated after all. To be sure, more and more married couples are seeking out sleeping—and thereby living—arrangements in which they can sleep apart from one another at night.

According to the results of a poll that was conducted by the U.S. National Sleep Foundation, about 25 percent of couples currently sleep in either separate beds or separate bedrooms altogether. And when many married couples look for homes to rent or to buy, they often search for homes with multiple master bedrooms which points to a trend for separate sleeping areas. In brief, more married couples are seeking sleep divorces. Can they actually help to keep marriages intact and to prevent divorce?

Study Says Sleep Divorce Can Reduce the Likelihood of Divorce

As the article highlights, it’s known as sleep divorce, but it could actually be beneficial for your marriage. Why is this the case? In brief, sleep divorces have a lot of positive effects on the individual partners in the marriage.

Simply getting a good night’s sleep can make spouses more pleasant toward one another and more likely to be generous with the other spouse in terms of time and attention. For example, a study out of the University of California, Berkeley determined that sleeping in the same bed can affect a person’s gratitude. Indeed, when one spouse is sleep deprived, that feeling of sleep deprivation can leave that spouse “too tired to say thanks.” Amie Gordon, one of the study authors who is a psychologist, underscored how “poor sleep may make us more selfish as we prioritize our own needs over our partner’s.”

Are you currently in a marriage where you believe you actually sleep better when you sleep in the same bed as your spouse? Even if you believe this, research shows that the opposite actually may be true. As such, if you are having difficulties in your marriage and are considering ways to prevent a legal divorce, sleep divorce could be a long-term answer for some couples.

Seek Advice from a Chicago Divorce Attorney

If you have questions about divorce, an experienced Chicago divorce lawyers can speak with you today. Contact Arami Law to learn more about our services.