10 ARTICLES
FOREVER YOUNG
SEPARATE BEDROOMS BY JUDITH A. RUCKI
A
friend was busy redecorating her home when I asked her how the project was going. She said she had just finished work on her husband’s room. At first I thought she meant his study, or perhaps she had created a man cave for him. Nope, she meant he had his own bedroom. Shortly after that conversation took place, another friend remarked about having his and her bedrooms. I began wondering if this was a trend or if something else was afoot. A recent survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation says twenty-three percent of married couples routinely sleep in separate beds. It also turns out Good Morning America ran a story about this subject awhile back. Health.com followed up with an article based on the episode. Both confirmed what my friends were saying. There were reasons
other than animosity or a failing marriage that sent them to their separate rooms. Snoring, which affects half the adult population, seems to be a big factor in deciding to sleep apart. The partner who sounds like a jet breaking the sound barrier may not realize he (or she) is causing such a racket. This can leave the blearyeyed partner desperate for some shut-eye. Other couples say restless leg or arm syndrome is the culprit. Being kicked or punched all night is not conducive to sound sleep. Insomnia, regular nocturnal trips
to the bathroom, and sleepwalking add to the list of why your own room is sounding better and better. Note that these physical issues should be mentioned to your primary care physician. Treatment may be available and get you back to sleeping well together. Sometimes separate rooms are a good idea when one partner has the flu and does not want to spread germs. Self-quarantine can be a good thing. Seemingly small issues like one person wanting to sleep with a nightlight on while the other prefers total darkness can cause difficulties.
