My Partner's Sleep Is Impacting on Our Relationship

Sleeping apart from your party is increasing

The recent ResMed 2025 Sleep Survey (https://document.resmed.com/documents/global/resmed-wsd-2025-report.pdf) provides a snapshot of how people around the world sleep.

In Australian specific respondents reported that 83% say their partner say their partner disrupts their sleep, with 11% saying this disruption was nightly.

Up 14% of Australian couples sleep apart every night. 31% sleep apart at least once a month to improve their sleep and rest.

Moira Junge, Sleep Psychologist and CEO of Sleep Health Foundation reports in The Australian (17 March 2025) that these findings are concerning  and align with her understanding of sleep problems, where this leads to intimacy issues as couples find ways to manage sleep deprivation and distress associated with sleep deprivation.

"I think people can feel really isolated ... they think they're the only ones going through it."

ResMed 2025 Sleep Survey report that:

• Many couples are opting for separate sleeping arrangements, known as a “sleep divorce,” to improve their rest.
• Three in ten (32%) cite their partner’s snoring, loud breathing, or gasping for air—symptoms often associated with sleep apnea—as major disruptions.
• Older generations are more likely to report sleeping apart and more likely to cite these symptoms as keeping them up at night.

As reported by ResMed 2025 Sleep Survey report:

Sleeping Apart Can Have Benefits?

"For people who’ve chosen separate sleeping arrangements, many report better sleep quality and either an improved or stable relationship, including their sex life. However, it’s worth considering the broader health and emotional benefits of sharing a bed with a partner.

In The Long Term There Are Negative Impacts

Sleeping next to a partner triggers the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone.”  An article presented in the journal Sleep revealed that couples who sleep together experience lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as higher satisfaction with life and their relationship."

Why do people experience sleep problems?

Based on the ResMED 2025 Sleep Survey report, the 5 top contributions to sleep problems include: stress, anxiety, financial pressures, mental health issues and family and relationship issues.

The report staggeringly found that up to 41% of Australians do not seek help for poor sleep and would just live with it. This the highest rate of all countries.

Addressing Sleep Issues

There are so many benefits in addressing sleep issues. In my practice, I help clients in improving their sleep in addressing a range of presenting issues, including depression, anxiety, stress and relationship problems.

In my article Highly Effective Insomnia Therapists in Elsternwick  https://www.yourpsychologist.net.au/insomnia  I outline a variety of techniques for helping people with insomnia.

Reach out to me through my website www.yourpsychologist.net.au if you wish to explore how I might help.