Written by Jill Zwarensteyn, Senior Editor
Should couples not be afraid to sleep apart to get a good night’s sleep? Actress Cameron Diaz thinks so. In a recent episode of the Lipstick on the Rim podcast, Diaz said “We should normalize separate bedrooms.”
She went on to say, “To me, I would literally — I have my house, you have yours. We have the family house in the middle. I will go and sleep in my room. You go sleep in your room. I’m fine. And we have the bedroom in the middle that we can convene in for our relations.”
Diaz is married to musician Benji Madden. The pair recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary on January 5.
So with nearly a decade of marriage under her belt, is she right? Is there something to couples sleeping in separate rooms?
Should Couples Sleep Apart?
The term “sleep divorce” has garnered much attention recently. In the case of a sleep divorce, a couple has separate sleeping arrangements for the purpose of better sleep. While Diaz mentioned separate bedrooms, some couples might opt for different beds in the same room.
Her comments may have made headlines, but the actress is far from alone in her sentiment. A recent survey with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine revealed that up to a third of Americans sleep in separate rooms, whether it’s all the time or on occasion.1 The survey also found that millennials were the largest age group to sleep apart, whereas baby boomers were the lowest.
While better overall sleep is the obvious upside to a sleep divorce, this could also lead to long-term health benefits like lowering your risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression.2 Plus, not being angry with your partner over a night of sleep loss could mean a happier relationship for both of you.
Other Solutions for Couples
It’s also worth acknowledging that not everyone has the resources to have their own bedroom apart from their spouse. Cameron Diaz is a major Hollywood star, so it’s easier for her to have access to a larger home with extra bedrooms. Some more economic alternatives might be adding a Murphy Bed with a Murphy bed mattress to your living room, where one partner can sleep at night. Other options might include earplugs, an eye mask, and even separate covers — also known as the Scandinavian Sleep Method.
Visit our in-depth guide on sleep divorce to learn more.
Jill Zwarensteyn
Senior Editor
About Author
Jill Zwarensteyn is the senior editor for Sleep Advisor and a certified sleep science coach. She is enthusiastic about providing helpful and engaging information on all things sleep and wellness.
Combination Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach