There’s a growing trend in Australia that’s gaining traction amidst the nation’s escalating sleep crisis – the phenomenon known as “sleep divorce.
” More and more couples are opting to part ways in the bedroom, seeking their nightly rest in separate beds or rooms. This decision is fueled by the struggle of nearly one in three Australians who find it challenging to either fall asleep or stay asleep at least three times a week.
The statistics paint a vivid picture of the severity of the situation. A recent study conducted by ResMed, a prominent sleep device manufacturer, revealed that sleep deprivation has become so prevalent that almost 1 in 5 Australians have been compelled to call in sick due to lack of proper rest. The consequences of this widespread issue are alarming and varied, affecting both personal health and professional life.
Dr. Alison Wimms, Director of Medical Affairs at ResMed, shed light on some key factors contributing to poor sleep quality among Australians. She emphasized that stress, anxiety, financial pressures, screen time, and inconsistent routines play significant roles in disrupting individuals’ ability to achieve restful nights. These factors create a vicious cycle that perpetuates sleep deprivation across the country.
As more couples grapple with compromised sleep quality, many have resorted to embracing the concept of a “
sleep divorce
” as a solution. This practice involves sleeping separately from one’s partner to mitigate disturbances such as snoring or different schedules that disrupt rest. Surprisingly, research shows that 61 percent of those who have opted for this arrangement report an improvement in their sleep quality.
Furthermore, Dr. Wimms highlighted additional benefits resulting from sleeping separately: “
26 per cent said it improved their relationship, and almost 16 per cent noted a positive impact on their sex life.” Despite these encouraging outcomes for some couples, not everyone finds success with this approach. In fact, 38 percent of respondents who tried sleeping apart expressed dissatisfaction with their sleep quality post-parting due to reasons like snoring and restlessness.
Sydney-based couple’s therapist Shahn Baker Sorekli weighed in on this topic cautioning against hastily resorting to separate sleeping arrangements: “Being a couple…coming together at night allows for a moment of connection and intimacy.” He stressed the importance of maintaining shared bedtime routines as they can foster relationship health through mutual unwinding after daily stresses.
While there are instances where sleeping apart may be beneficial – particularly when issues like restless sleeping or snoring pose challenges – expert advice underscores the importance of careful consideration before implementing such changes within relationships. Dr. Wimms observed gender disparities relating to poor sleep quality among women compared to men due to various factors like hormonal fluctuations and caregiving responsibilities.
The overarching narrative reveals how modern lifestyles blur boundaries between work and personal life which contributes significantly towards impairing individuals’ ability to attain adequate restorative sleep patterns.
On a positive note amidst these challenges lies an increasing curiosity among Australians regarding their own sleep behaviors with more people proactively monitoring their slumber habits compared to previous years.
However despite growing awareness about healthy sleep practices only about one-third take active steps towards improving their situations raising concerns about long-term impacts on overall wellbeing.
As awareness around ‘sleep divorce’ continues rising featuring prominently among public figures like Michael & Lisa Wipfli Edwina Bartholomew & Neil Varcoe along with Annie Knight popular porn star its clear discussions around healthy sleeping habits will remain integral ensuring well-being remains priority amidst turbulent times prevailing globally
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