For a recent study published in the journal Sleep, A team from the University of Arizona analyzed the sleep patterns of just 1,000 adult participants from southeastern Pennsylvania. They were asked how often they shared a bed (with a partner / husband, child / child, pet or other family member) and how often they slept alone. They also answered questions that measured sleep quality and duration, mood, stress levels and relationships and life satisfaction.
After crushing the numbers, the researchers determined that those who usually share a bed with a romantic partner reported longer and deeper sleep and less fatigue than those who slept alone most nights. They also fall asleep quickly and wake up less often on average at night.
Interestingly, though, the opposite was true for those who shared a bed with their kids. They reported more disrupted sleep and less control over their sleep as well as more stress than sleeping alone.
In addition to these sleep metrics, adults who slept with a partner reported a better mood, less stress, and more social support and satisfaction towards life and relationships. It is not clear how interruptions from your partner, such as loud snoring, affect these results. However, the University of Arizona team notes that this information shows just how much your bedmate can affect your snooze.
Michael Grander, PhD, author of the study, said in a press release, “Very few studies have explored this, but our results indicate that sleeping alone or with a partner, family member or pet can affect our sleep health.” “We were very surprised to learn how important this could be.”