COUPLENOMICSThe UK’s Couple Sleep

Report 2019

© Emma Mattress 2019

This study on the sleep habits of couples aims to raise awareness of the importance of sleep within this context, especially considering the prevalence of Brits who share a bed with a partner.While the amount of sleep required varies from person to person, the average adult needs around 8 hours per night. Sleep is critical to maintaining immune system health, appetite management, memory retention, and much more. Emma Mattress (Emma – The Sleep Company), a sleep technology company dedicated to improving sleep quality and raising awareness on sleep topics, commissioned this study to draw attention to couple sleep problems that are often overlooked and can impact sleep quality.

INTRODUCTION

The importance of sleep is apparent to most people, but

when presented with the situation of sharing a bed with

someone else, the full implications need to be explored.

Most people do not consider the potential impact of

someone else’s sleeping habits on their health, or vice

versa. How much can another’s sleeping habits and

issues impact our own? Is poor quality sleep enough

cause to break up with your partner? Can what we

sleep on alleviate some of the problems experienced

while sleeping together?

Couplenomics: The UK’s Couple Sleep Report 2019

was conducted by Emma – The Sleep Company and is

based on a survey of 2,001 nationally-representative

UK adults. The research outlined in this report was

undertaken between 18th to 23rd October 2019.

OVERVIEW

Emma’s Sleep Expert Taskforce commissioned Dynata to conduct this survey. Dynata is the world’s largest first-party data and insight platform.

KEY FINDINGS

Through this report, Emma – The Sleep Company has discovered what can be best described as a sleep and lifestyle epidemic, which is significantly affecting relationships across the UK. This report highlights the extent of the issue, finding that 59% of UK adult couples who regularly share a bed are plagued with sleep problems as a result of sharing a bed, with couples subsequently facing emotional turmoil, separate beds and even breaking up entirely.Leading causes of sleep issues of those who share a bed include insomnia (30%) and stress (26%), with the most common symptoms identified as:

The report also highlights the emotional impact of sleep issues on individuals and their relationships. Of respondents who are suffering from sleep issues from sharing a bed with their partner:

Snoring

61%Lying awake unable to relax

50%Movement, wriggling and restlessness

47%

17% say this has caused emotional issues with their partner

like frustration and resentment.

Worryingly, 1 in 10 (10%) said that the knock-on effect caused

mental health issues including anxiety and depression.

As a result of these sleep issues, 1 in 6 UK couples resort to

‘sleep divorce’, the practice of sleeping in separate beds

once a week or more.

How do BritishCouples Sleep?

The Landscape of Couples’ Sleep in the U.K.

Causes and symptoms of couples’ sleep issues in the U.K.

Long-term implications from couples’ sleep issues in the U.K.

Wider effect on romantic relationships.

Couplenomics: The UK’s Couple Sleep

Report 2019 uncovers and discusses:

The landscape ofcouples’ sleep in

the UK

When discussing the landscape of two in a bed, and the

influence of a romantic partner on quality of sleep; the results

are especially relevant within the UK owing to the high

proportion of the population that share a bed.

Considering the scope of individuals across the UK that report sleep disturbances as a result of sleeping with their partner – the question arises as to what are the potential causes and symp-

toms reported by couples?

According to the Offi ce of National Statistics, the proportion of

individuals aged 16 years and older within England and Wales who

are married has reached 50.5% as of 2018.

Further, an additional 5 million couples (10.4%) that are 16 years and

older, and have never been married are also accounted for as of

2018[1]. Of those that are in the relationship, 90% regularly share a

bed with their partner.

These statistics suggest that potentially millions across the UK are impacted daily by the sleeping habits of their partner. Unsurprisingly, 58% of people who share a bed with their partner report experiencing some form of sleep issues—whether that be themselves, their partner, or both experiencing problems while sleeping.Of the 58% of people who report sleep issues, 35% note that sleep disturbances are experienced by only one partner, while 23% of respondents claim that both them and their partner experience sleep issues as a result of sharing a bed.

Sleep disturbances beingexperienced by only one partner

Both them and theirpartners experience sleep issues

[1] Offi ce for National Statistics, Population estimates by marital status and living arrangements, England and Wales: 2018 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/populatione stimatesbymaritalstatusandlivingarrange-ments/2018

People who share a bed,experiencing some sleep issues

35%23%

58%

50,5%

Causes andsymptoms

of couples’ sleepissues in the UK

The previous section outlined the breadth of couples across the UK that are susceptible to experiencing sleep disturbances as a result of sharing a bed with their partner. So, what are the most common causes of sleep issues that prevent British couples from getting a healthy night’s rest?

When those who share a bed and suffer from sleep issues were asked what the top 5 mostcommon causes of those problems are, Brits told us:

COMMON CAUSES FOR COUPLES’ SLEEP DISTURBANCES

30% 30%

19%19%

Sharing a bed with a partner

26%General stress

Insomnia

Noisedisturbances

General health issues

“Stress is the natural enemy for obtaining a quality night of sleep.

Meditation provides a calming distraction from individual stress. Also,

co-sleeping might benefit from the calming effect of aligned breathing

rhythm and the creation of a ‘safe sleeping space.’

Consider passive and active noise cancelling headphones if noise

disturbances are impacting quality of sleep. Most important: If you feel

that you are experiencing sleep issues that are indicative of insomnia,

check and find treatment with a certified Sonologist.”

What are they sleeping on?

It is also worth noting that poor quality mattresses are a direct cause of sleep disturbance for British couples. Of those who share a bed, 33% indicated that their mattress directly causes their sleep issues.This problem also appears to be inversely correlated with age. Younger couples in the UK between 18–24 were much more likely to identify their mattress as cause for their a sleep problem (83%), in comparison to couples aged 65 years and older (11%).

SLEEP EXPERT ADVICE

– Dr. Verena Senn

50%Lying awake, unable to sleep or relax

SYMPTOMSEXPERIENCED

Causes of sleep disturbancesmanifest in a range of symptoms.Of those in relationships whoshare a bed and suffer from sleep issues, the mostcommon symptomsinclude:

61%

47%

46%

20%

Snoring

Movement, wriggling, restlessness

Gettingtoo hot

Stealingthe covers What’s clear from this study is that three

of the five most common symptoms

couples experience due to disturbed

sleep (lying awake, movement and

getting too hot) relate to or Could be

corrected by adjusting the quality of

what they are sleeping on.

SLEEP EXPERT ADVICE

“As we get older, concerns related to our mattress quality might be seen

as less important as compared against age related bodily changes that

impact sleep such as aged related changes in our hormone levels, like

Melatonin, that overall impact the quality of our sleep.

In situations where the mattress is to blame for feeling your partners

movement, consider finding mattresses with materials that better

prevent motion transfer. Regarding the issue of feeling too hot or cold

- temperature variation is important variable for a quality night of rest.

Our temperature naturally fluctuates throughout the day. Before bed,

we search for warmth in our extremities to begin the process of cooling

our core body temperature. We need this drop-in temperature for a

good quality sleep. Hence, being too cold or too hot are serious threats

to sleep quality. Luckily, there is a world of options within foam and

blankets especially built for ‘hot or cold’ couples.”

– Dr. Verena Senn

Long-termimplications from

couples’ sleepissues in the U.K.

This research study paints a picture for the symptoms and causes

experienced of the 58% of U.K. survey respondents who indicated

experiencing sleep disturbances due to their partner.

In addition, for those who indicated that their partner suffers a sleep

issue, as many as 89% of respondents indicated their own sleep was

directly impacted as a result.

The implication of sleep issues in a relationship can cause a plethora

of issues in Brits’ daily lives; professionally, personally, and even with

mental health.

HOW LACK OF SLEEP CAN LEAD TO A NUMBER OF LONG-TERM ISSUES

Respondents in the UK were asked how their own life was

impacted by sleep issues as a couple, and to take into

consideration how their partner was impacted by poor sleep as

a couple. The results are quite astounding:

Themselves

Stated they experience decreased concentration

Stated emotional issues in their relationship such as frustration and resentment

respondents claimed experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression

Sleep problems related to decreased concentration were most evident in those aged: 44%

25–34

38%35–44

17%

1 in 10

26%

19%

“Research shows that acute and chronic sleep deprivationnegatively impacts our abilities for reasoning, decision-making, language, attention, learning and problem-solving. In addition, sleep deprivation can impact our emotional stability.Researchers believe that REM sleep (dream state sleep) is strongly linked to resolving our emotional past. During REM sleep our body reduces and removes a stress- related hormone called noradrenalin. The absence of noradrenalin allows us to experience very emotional situations from our day in a very lower emotion state aiming to resolve conflict or even traumatic situations.What we dream about and how much we dream is an important and natural function for emotional stability. By interrupting sleep or sleeping too little, we reduce the impact of REM sleep, which could likely result in reducing capacity to handle emotional conflicts.”

Their Partner

Both Partners

Nearly a quarter indicate their sleep problem are having a negative impact on their partner’s mental health

Almost half of those aged 18–24 stated their sleep problems are having negative impact on their partners mental health

Nearly a quarter indicate that sleep problems are having a negative impact on theirpartner’s physical health

A combined total for those aged 18–24 indicate 61% experience mental health issues and 61% physical health issues due to sleep issues from co-sleeping

48%18–24

61%18–24

24%

24%

SLEEP EXPERT ADVICE

– Dr. Verena Senn

Wider effecton romantic relationships

With the significance of the findings of how many people are

impacted by disturbances in sleep; the study conducted also

examined what are the drastic solutions that Brit’s apply in order to

achieve a quality night of rest.

Surprisingly, the results indicate that many in the UK have resorted

to a level of ‘sleep divorce’ to obtain a night of proper sleep.

Currently, more than half of British couples that suffer sleep issues

sleep in separate beds (54%), while 35% indicated that one

partner sleeps on the sofa.

In order to obtain consistent quality of sleep, 22% of couple who suffer

from these issues relate that they sleep separately every day, and 25%

sleep separately more than once a week. The results of these drastic

measures have met with a mix of both positive and negative results:

Stated theyhave bettersleep

65%report improved concentration

20%state their mental health has improved

19%break up temporarily

3%consider permanently breaking up

2%

When asked of those who are single, or who have broken a

relationship up; 27% reported issues from sleep and in nearly 1 in 10

cases break up either happened temporarily or permanently.

Should drastic measures really be required? Are there better

approaches to getting a quality night’s sleep with your partner? Is

‘sleep divorce’ necessary?

27%TemporarilyBreak Up4%

Reported Sleep Issues

PermanentlyBreak Up5%

“In general, people seem to benefi t from being in a relationship. Studies show, that couples on average live longer compared to singles. One theory is that this effect might result from improved sleeping in a shared bed situation. However, there seems to be also some differences between men and women, as for men an increase in sleep quality is found more often than for women.I think, it is worthwhile to try to fi nd solutions for sleeping issues resulting from co-sleeping. Identifying the cause (e.g. noise caused by snoring, or heating up) will help to fi nd the best solution (e.g. ear plugs or a breathable mattress, that does not trap heat). But in the end, good sleep matters too much to ignore it and might even save your relationship.”

SLEEP EXPERT ADVICE

– Dr. Verena Senn

27%

Emma – The Sleep Company is dedicated to improving people’s

quality of sleep and offering solutions to sleep issues. The

standout product is the Emma Original mattress. Made with

the customer in mind and using the fi nest British foams, it’s the

solution to various sleep problems and could well help tackle

the sleep divorce issue many British couples face.

Made to suit almost all body types, both you and your partner

are sure to get the best night’s sleep on this award-winning

mattress: Whether you both prefer to sleep on your back, front

or side – or have different sleeping preferences entirely, the

Emma Original perfectly adapts to every body to offer the

optimum amount of support and pressure-relief. The advanced

motion isolation, through the visco elastic layer, also ensures

you’ll always sleep soundly – even if one of you is having a

restless night. Featuring breathable and open-pored foams 8

that expertly regulate temperature and wick moisture away,

it’s the perfect mattress to help you sleep comfortably cool all

night.

How can Emma help?

that expertly regulate temperature and wick moisture away,

it’s the perfect mattress to help you sleep comfortably cool all

night.

Make sleep divorce a thing of the past!

Head to www.emma-mattress.co.uk to fi nd

out more about the Emma Original!

www.emma-mattress.co.uk