One expert has advised couples to avoid sleeping together in the same bed if they want to get a proper night’s sleep, and warned of the damaging effect that sharing a bed can have on a person’s health.
For example, if your partner ends up moving around too much in their sleep, or if they snore, they will most likely prevent you from entering the rapid eye movement or REM phase of sleep, which is the deepest stage of the cycle. This is according to Dr Karan Rajan.
Sleep is essential for a person’s overall health and wellbeing, which means that a lack of it can have a serious impact, physically and psychologically.
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Not everyone shares the same sort of sleep cycle, according to Dr Rajan, meaning one partner may well be chronically sleep-deprived, while the other is well-rested, or the other way around.
Sleeping in separate beds is apparently also a good idea because of the triggers that help people drift off, including body temperature.
Dozing off beside another person raises body heat, and this can therefore lead to a person getting insufficient rest at night.
In a TikTok vid shared with his 4.8 million followers, Dr Karan, who works as a surgeon and lecturer at the University of Sunderland, said: "One of the triggers you need to be able to fall asleep, is the drop in core body temperature. Sharing a bed increases body heat so it'll take longer for you to fall asleep."
The viral video has since been viewed more than 242,500 times, clocking up over 25,000 likes and counting.
Followers have, of course, been left somewhat divided on Dr Karan's pearls of wisdom. While some swear by separate beds, others just can't imagine falling asleep without their other half by their side.
One person approved, writing: “My husband and I have totally different sleep schedules and styles, we have slept separately for eight years, love it!”
Another agreed: “Post-divorce, THE BEST sleep of my life!"
However, a third individual disagreed, arguing that they "like cuddles" too much, while another person joked, "Tell that to my spoilt, over-indulged Yorkshire Terrier."
Read more: 'Study reveals sound sleep can cut your risk of developing Alzheimer’s'
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