If you’ve been married or a committed relationship where you sleep in the same bed, you can likely relate to this. You need your sleep! Think about it. Sleep is such a private thing. It’s separate from a couple’s much needed cuddling time, and of course intimate time. It’s something we are born doing alone. So, why such controversary regarding the trending topic of “sleep divorce?”
Sleep divorce is when you and your partner decide that separate beds, and in some cases, separate rooms are necessary for your mental and physical health. Snoring, talking in your sleep, and restless sleep are enough to drive you or your partner crazy in bed. You can totally love each other and sill desire your personal sleep space, in order to get a good night’s sleep.
Dr. Shelby Harris, a psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine, told Newsweek, “When your partner negatively impacts your sleep, it can stir up resentment and unhappiness that trickles into your day-to-day life. If you can improve this issue, it can lead to a closer and more bonded relationship.” She doesn’t like the term “sleep divorce” because as she says, “it can have a very negative and shameful connotation. Sleeping separately is a normal, common, and healthy solution for a lot of couples out there who aren’t getting the sleep they need.”
Many famous couples have decided that sleeping separately is best for their relationship.Hey, it may even spice things up for you, as the saying goes, “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” It’s worth a shot. And you can even try scheduling “date nights” in bed. Below is a list, from The List, of some famous couples who have publicly shared their “sleep divorces.”
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
Sarah and Matthew took their sleep separation a step further. They chose separate beds in separate homes! According to a 2016 Radar Online report, this famous couple had decided to try a technique called “conscious coupling,” which involved living in adjoining New York City townhouses.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Kevin and Danielle Jonas
Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, sleep in separate beds because of his snoring. Married since 2009, this celeb couple started sleeping in separate beds early on.
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Tim Burton and Helena Bonhan Carter
Tim Burton and Helena Bonhan Carter split in 2014, after 13 years of marriage. When they were together they admitted to sleepin in separate beds and in adjoining homes. Perhaps they wanted more room for their wardrobe?
(Photo by Sean Dempsey – WPA Pool / Getty Images)
Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk
According to The List, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk found it easier to sleep in separate beds. Her lifestyle brand website, Goop, the award winning actress explores experimental living techniques and products. When she married TV producer Brad Falchuk in 2018, “she decided to hop aboard the solo sleeping trend,” as the article explained.
(Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Victoria and David Beckham
The List says, “Victoria and David Beckham sleep in separate beds in their his and her wings. Hey, have wings, will fly, as the saying goes.
(Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip
If you’ve ever visited one of the mansions in Newport, you likely noticed the home owners, king and queen of their castle, had separate bedrooms. That’s how royality did it. Case in point, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip reportedly always slept in separate beds.
(Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Donald and Melania Trump
Donald and Melania Trump sleep in separate beds and different rooms, according to The List.
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal
It was a very public and often tumultuous “Love Story” for Ryan O’Neal and Farrah Fawcett, when when they were together they reportedly made their relationship work by sleeping in separate beds.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook
Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook lived apart for a year after marrying in 2018 and slept in separate beds. The Big Bang Theory star and her equestrian husband actually lived in different houses to star their marriage, while they built their dream home together. She said, “We love it, so I don’t know why people have such an issue.”
(Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Netflix)
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
One of Hollywood’s most famous couples (now uncoupled) Angelia Jolie and Brad Pitt slept in separate beds while married. A former body guard spilled the beans that “Brangelina” slept separately.
(Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Gillian Anderson and Peter Morgan
Gillian Anderson and Peter Morgan said they have a great relationship because they sleep in separate beds. Gillian told The Times that because she and film director Peter Morgan started dating when they were older, they brought a maturity to the relationship. She said, “There is a new creativity nowadays to what a relationship should look like. If we did [live together], that would be the end of us.” (
Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix)
Sounds like separate homes too, or at least rooms.)