This is the generation most likely to divorce their partner over sleep habits

One in three Americans are not receiving quality sleep. Just how important is sleep synchronization to a healthy relationship? A recent survey of 1,500 Americans conducted by Saatva suggests it matters quite a bit.  Fifty-five percent of female respondents said that their snoring partner was a source of immense stress for them and one in three respondents said that they frequently fought with their significant other about the firmness (or lack thereof) of their mattress.

A new survey by Mattress Advisor suggests our pervasive insomnia is often exacerbated by the sleeping habits of our partners. Sixty-percent of the respondents in the survey did not share the same sleep schedule as their romantic other and less than 40% felt that their sleep schedules aligned.  Trying to manage a quality eight hours of rest every night is hard enough on its own, without having to accommodate for two separate alarm clocks, two different bedtimes, and unwarranted cuddling.

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The Mattress Advisor survey unpacked below was comprised of 1,001 people, 44.5 percent of which identified as male, and 55.5 were female. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 73 with an average age of 37 and a standard deviation of 11. Ten percent were a part of the baby boomer cohort, 26.5% belonged to Generation X, and 60.6% were millennials. The rest of the respondents polled (2.4%) were from Generation Z or the silent generation.

Zzzzz the day

In Mattress advisor’s poll of over 1,000 people, Generation X was shown to be the least apt at adapting to their partner’s sleep schedule. Nearly 66% of participants between the ages of 39 and 54 reported feeling out of sync. Millennials, on the other hand, felt in sync with their partner’s sleep habits 42% of the time.  EIghty-six percent of the 13% that did not sleep in the same room as their partner, reported doing so because of an out of sync sleep schedule. The most often cited reason couples felt out of sync was their partner taking longer to fall asleep than they did. This reason was just ahead of conflicting work schedules, at roughly 40%.

Respondents with diverging sleep schedules were 52% less likely to wake up feeling refreshed and energized compared to couples with similar sleep schedules. It follows that these also received a median amount of 2 hours and 48 additional minutes of sleep a week.

The Pillow Talk

Unfortunately, conflicting circadian clocks can sometimes lead to relationship turbulence. Eighty-one percent of respondents said that following a similar sleep schedule as their partner is important to relationship satisfaction. Partners with similar sleep schedules were also more likely to trust each other, though they were found to be less likely to express gratitude interestingly enough. More than thirty percent of Americans polled bemoaned divergent sleep scheduled simply because it meant they spent less time with their romantic partners. An additional 28% occasioned a loss of intimacy. Mattress Advisor seconds the reasoning by citing an independent study that revealed 10 minutes of cuddling released chemicals known to promote quality sleep.

Forty-three percent fell asleep cuddling with their partner, while 16% established a no touching rule during sleep. Seventy-five percent of the cuddlers reported getting a good night’s sleep, compared to 60% of the non-cuddlers that agreed.

The study concludes, “Ultimately, you and your partner know what’s right for your relationship. With sleep playing such an integral role both within and outside of that relationship, it’s important to broach the topic. Straightforward and honest communication will always foster healthier outcomes and so will a good solid night’s rest.”

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