Gransnet forums

Health

Do you sleep alone? ?

(151 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 16-Mar-21 09:21:51

And does it help with insomnia? We’ve seen countless conversations over the years on Gransnet about partners disturbing a good night’s rest, whether that’s from snoring, stealing the duvet, being restless, or insisting on either tropical temperatures while you swelter away, or leaving all the windows open when it's freezing outside.
Is sleeping alone the answer?

By posting on this thread you could win one of the fabulous spot prizes we have on offer this week - please see our Sleep Week page here for details of the prizes and for the T&Cs. Don’t forget - we’ll be picking 5 winners at random from threads across the week, so the more threads you post on, the more chance you have of winning!

Don’t forget to stay in touch. Sign up to our newsletter here.

Calendargirl Tue 16-Mar-21 09:57:31

No, I sleep with DH.

His (occasional) snoring sometimes keeps me awake, but there again, he maintains that sometimes my snoring keeps him awake!

shock

Westcoaster Tue 16-Mar-21 10:07:08

I sleep alone now since DH's recent death. I have always been a poor sleeper, mostly trouble falling asleep as well as the snoring problem. Initially I found I was sleeping much better but that was probably just relief after the weeks of stress.

Now I'm back to not being able to fall asleep, and if I do manage it I usually wake early (like 3-4am) and can't drop off again. I'm hoping that the better weather will mean more walking and that might help.

Drives me crazy!

Juno56 Tue 16-Mar-21 10:14:42

I do. My husband is CEV so last year at the beginning of lockdown we made the recommended changes regarding separate bedrooms and bathrooms. Previously we had not slept apart, other than a few nights, for 40 years. I did not realise until we made this change how much his snoring and the different hours we keep disturbed my sleep. Even though the mattress on the guest room bed in no way compares to the memory foam marvel on 'our' bed I sleep so much better than before.

TrendyNannie6 Tue 16-Mar-21 10:15:49

No I sleep with my husband, the nights he’s not at work on night shifts, never ever had trouble going to sleep. Always have the little top window open, he’s a snorer and I talk in my sleep apparently, I have approx 8 half hours sleep every single night so no complaints here, he much less

Gelisajams Tue 16-Mar-21 10:24:31

I sleep with DH, we go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. I’m the more restless one, he seldom disturbs me. After his op a couple of years ago he had a few problems so moved into the spare room. I couldn’t sleep at all then!

JaneJudge Tue 16-Mar-21 10:27:10

My husband woke me up shouting last night, I can't even remember what he was shouting but he has form for talking in his sleep. He once told me, whilst asleep, that he used to work in a beauticians!

FlexibleFriend Tue 16-Mar-21 10:29:02

I sleep alone as I don't have a partner and I've always slept well.

Liz46 Tue 16-Mar-21 10:29:23

My husband has put on some weight during lockdown so his snoring is worse. After lying awake for ages reading because it was too noisy to sleep, I've moved to the spare room and it is so much better. If I wake up, I can put the light on and read and generally just please myself. There is a little tv in the spare room too so I am in no hurry to go back.

M0nica Tue 16-Mar-21 10:34:33

I am currently sleeping in another room, in a single room as DH is recovering from major surgery and is up and down to the bathroom or otherwise in the night and a seperate bedroom means I can sleep undisturbed, he doesn't need any help.

I cannot wait to get back into my familiar bedroom and familiar bed and cuddle up to DH. I am not sleeping badly in the spare room. I just know I wll be more relaxed in my sleep when we are together again.

Maggiemaybe Tue 16-Mar-21 10:41:42

I had a couple of weeks sleeping alone recently, when my broken shoulder was still healing and I needed space to prop my arm on a couple of pillows. I admit I slept more soundly without the interruptions, but I was very glad to get my companion back. smile

Angelwings Tue 16-Mar-21 10:51:18

I don’t sleep alone and being disturbed is by far the top reason that I don’t sleep right through the night.

crazyH Tue 16-Mar-21 10:55:22

Yes, I sleep alone .....quite well, with a little help from my GP

Kate1949 Tue 16-Mar-21 10:56:45

I sleep alone. My husband snores. When I say snores, it's like a pneumatic drill. It's impossible for either of us to sleep - me because of the noise and him because I'm constantly nudging him and complaining! He's been to doctors over the years about this and tried various remedies. He's not
overweight so that's the best we can do.

madeleine45 Tue 16-Mar-21 10:59:27

I sleep alone and due to health problems dont usually sleep through the night. If I cant sleep I can put the light on , get out of bed and walk about . Read or go and make a drink if I really cannot get back to sleep. So at least I can now just accept it and cope with it. Much more problem if travelling, when hotels are nearly always too hot and stuffy. Obviously you cant go wandering corridors but I have earphones to be able to listen to radio 3 and if I cant sleep always keep the maps with me and usually if going to visit gardens I look at those and work out best way to go etc and plan another trip for later. If this doesnt work dress very quietly and go out for a walk. Sometimes get odd stares from night porter but I actually quite enjoy seeing a new place at 4am. Then back and try to sleep or just rest and then have a shower to be ready to face the day. Stops the build up of stress worrying that it would happen again the next day.

Mamiejan Tue 16-Mar-21 11:03:09

My DH and I sleep in separate rooms (each have a double bed ) because I am a ridiculously light sleeper and his snoring keeps me awake ,although I can still hear him ! I also need to read myself to sleep and he said having the light on kept him awake !
We still enjoy bedroom cuddles !
I don’t have a problem with it ,and we do sleep better apart

Flossieflyby Tue 16-Mar-21 11:05:16

I sleep better when husband is there, but do like a big bed

AlysonH Tue 16-Mar-21 11:14:23

No, share a bed with himself but we do have a single duvet each. Solved the problem of me sleeping without a covering...

Grannynannywanny Tue 16-Mar-21 11:17:16

Yes I sleep alone and after all these years I prefer it that way. I’m not a fan of sharing sleeping accommodation now eg on a family break. I’m a poor sleeper and like the freedom of being able to get up overnight without disturbing anyone.

Sashabel Tue 16-Mar-21 11:21:20

I've been single for the last 6 years and one of the biggest benefits is not having to share my bed. No more snoring or sweating partner next to me. The bed stays fresher longer and I can sleep on either side. I am much happier being on my own will definitely not be looking for another partner for many reasons. Having my bed all to myself is one of them

Alexa Tue 16-Mar-21 11:25:42

I sleep with a small dog. The snuggle is weighed against the need to accommodate his little body with mine, and the latter can be learned so it does not interfere with sleeping. Snuggle however is all or nothing.

dragonfly46 Tue 16-Mar-21 11:27:37

Since I had treatment for breast cancer we have had separate rooms and we both sleep much better.

AliBeeee Tue 16-Mar-21 11:28:19

I sleep alone. My long term partner and I have our own houses so are used to sleeping apart. The 50% or so of our time we spend together we slept separately as we are used to that.

Shreddie Tue 16-Mar-21 11:28:22

I have been widowed for many years and have slept alone in my small double since. I don't think I could sleep with someone else now - I love being able to spread out, roll over, kick of the duvet or sit up and read in the middle of the night whenever I want.

tanith Tue 16-Mar-21 11:39:41

I sleep alone since DH died 2 yrs ago. I do sleep better as he was a very restless sleeper as he grew older. I can now have the window open, sleep with the blinds open, spread eagle myself over the whole bed and read or be online as early or late as I like. That’s not to say I’d rather have him back beside me I do still find myself patting the bed and wondering where he is when I’m just waking sometimes.