A survey of 2,000 Britons revealed that 63% of couples report experiencing tension in their relationships due to differences in sleep duration. The study found that women spend an hour more in bed than men. Interestingly, this longer sleep duration is actually beneficial for them, according to researchers.
Differences in Sleep Duration by Gender
On average, women sleep about 8 hours, while men get only 7. This discrepancy can lead to arguments in relationships, as confirmed by 6 out of 10 surveyed couples. They reported that the imbalance in sleep contributed to the tension in their relationships. The results showed that a significant number of respondents slept separately to catch a few extra Zs, with one in ten opting for separate bedrooms.
The National Health Service recommends sleeping between seven to nine hours per night, although it warns that many people may struggle with insomnia. According to respondents, the biggest obstacle to their sleep is the heat, with 64% of men and 62% of women admitting this. Light, stress, noise, snoring, bathroom visits, and pets were among other factors that frequently disrupted their sleep.
How to Maintain Good Sleep as a Couple?
As noted by the Daily Mail, the survey results suggest that sex can help couples who have trouble falling asleep. According to respondents, 76% of women and 82% of men reported sleeping better after intimacy.
Researchers believe that sleep imbalance can lead to significant problems in relationships, as intimacy inevitably suffers when partners sleep separately. Experts suggest that women need more sleep than men because they juggle multiple tasks and engage their brains more than men do. As Professor Jim Horne points out, this is why women have a higher need for sleep.