Why Not All Couples Sleep Under One Blanket and How This Affects Their Relationship

If you sleep in the same bed as your partner, you probably get a sense of closeness and security next to them. However, at the same time, there can be inconveniences — from the trivial “battle over the blanket” to the discomfort caused by your partner’s habit of tossing and turning at night. One strategy that couples can try in these cases is the Scandinavian sleep method. This means the partners share a bed, but each person sleeps under a separate blanket. This allows each person to sleep in a more comfortable environment without disturbing each other’s sleep.

Advantages of the Scandinavian sleep method

• Regulating temperature to personal preference. Each person can choose a lighter or heavier blanket according to their own preferences. This helps to avoid feeling either too cold or too hot at night. For example, one partner may be more comfortable sleeping in a cooler environment (e.g. around 70°F) while the other prefers a warmer one (around 85°F).
• No more battling over the blanket. You can wrap yourself in your blanket as if it were a cocoon or kick it off to the bottom of the bed without causing discomfort to your partner.
• Eliminating possible sleep disturbances. If one partner is a restless sleeper, tossing and turning often, while the other, on the contrary, is sensitive to every movement at night, separate blankets will make the night’s rest more comfortable for everyone.
• A healthier night’s sleep. When each partner enjoys tailor-made sleeping conditions, it leads to better quality rest. In turn, this helps to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

It’s worth noting that the benefits can vary from person to person, so it’s important to consider what’s best for you personally and what kind of night-time environment you prefer.

How sleeping under separate blankets can help strengthen a relationship

When each person can tailor their resting conditions to their preference, they feel more comfortable and sleep better. This, in turn, helps to reduce irritability and improve mood, which can be good for relationships.

Moreover, when each person has their own blanket, they’re less likely to disturb their partner during the night. This will help to keep things calm and improve the quality of the night’s rest for both.

Finally, sleeping under separate blankets allows each partner to have more personal space, which can be important in long-term relationships.

What puts couples off the Scandinavian sleep method

The idea of partners sleeping under different blankets can be bothersome to some couples because it can be perceived as a symbol of separation or lack of intimacy in the relationship. Some people may feel lonely or isolated when they sleep separated from their partner.

This is especially difficult for people who are used to sleeping close to their partner and need contact with them during sleep. As such, they may prefer sleeping in the same bed in order to feel close and safe. However, this doesn’t mean that the Scandinavian sleep method can’t be useful for couples. It’s simply important to discuss it with your partner and choose what works best for you both.

How to arrange sleeping under separate blankets

First, make sure that there’s enough space on the bed for two blankets. If it’s small, it may be difficult to implement this method. You may have to get blankets that are smaller than the one you’re currently using. However, if you’re a lucky owner of a king-size bed, you can easily use standard comforters. After figuring out the optimum conditions for each partner’s individual needs, buy two different blankets to suit them. And lastly, don’t forget to buy extra bedding.

Do you think sleeping under separate blankets could improve a relationship?