Why Sleeping Next to Someone You Love Promotes a Better Night’s Rest

If you’re used to sleeping solo, the idea of sharing a bed might seem like a recipe for restless nights. But if you’re in a relationship and living together, chances are you’ll be sleeping next to your partner. While complaints about disrupted sleep are common, our 2024 UK Sleep Survey found that 76% of people actually sleep better when they’re next to a loved one.

Beyond just comfort, sharing a bed comes with surprising benefits—it can improve both your sleep quality and your relationship. So, whether you’re a cuddle enthusiast or someone who values their space, we’ve outlined the key reasons why sleeping beside a loved one is good for you.

Sleeping together offers a wide range of benefits, from waking up feeling refreshed to helping your body restore and recharge overnight—and more.

Couples who go to bed together tend to synchronise their sleep cycles, falling asleep and waking up at the same time. This helps your circadian rhythm, making it easier for you to fall asleep around the same time every night by creating a routine.

For women, in particular, a study by Wendy M. Troxel, assistant professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, discovered that those in long-term, stable relationships fell asleep faster and woke less frequently than their single counterparts or those with changing relationship statuses.

Better sleep from sleeping next to someone directly impacts the amount of restorative deep sleep you get. This helps your body repair damaged cells and eliminates cellular waste, helping to fight illness and recharge energy levels.

This, in turn, lowers stress levels in the body, which can slow the effects of ageing, both visibly and in how we think and function. Thanks to better restorative sleep, you’ll feel and look your best. Neuropsychologist David Weeks has even said that couples sleeping together can make someone feel seven years younger than their actual age.

Being physically close to someone at any time can make you feel happier. That’s because physical contact releases dopamine and serotonin, both of which can boost your mood and even help alleviate depression. Cuddling your partner through the day or night provides a boost in emotional well-being, resulting in a positive hormonal change for both partners. In short, this often means that sharing a bed with someone helps your happiness levels improve while stress is reduced.

As Dr Wendy Troxel states:

‘One hypothesis suggests that by promoting feelings of safety and security, shared sleep in healthy relationships may lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Sharing a bed may also reduce cytokines, involved in inflammation, and boost oxytocin, the so-called love hormone that is known to ease anxiety’.

Sleeping next to a loved one increases the production of oxytocin and oestrogen, which in turn causes a chain reaction, releasing dopamine and serotonin in the body. Not only does this make you feel happier and less stressed, but it can also help support body temperature and quickly lower blood pressure.

According to a study, couples who sleep at the same time throughout the night experienced lower blood pressure and lower systemic inflammation. These findings applied to both men and women.

Sleeping together but dreaming of a bed to yourself? You’re not alone. In our Sleep Survey, 24% of people said they sleep better without their partner. While there are lots of benefits to sleeping with someone, it might be time for a sleep divorce.

Here are a few reasons why you may not be sleeping well next to your partner:

• Your partner snores.
• Your partner may talk in their sleep.
• You or your partner sleepwalk.
• One of you may be suffering from a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.
• You’re waking up cold because they’ve stolen the blanket.

If you’re already finding it tricky to sleep next to your partner, tossing and turning because you can’t get comfy, or feeling cramped for space, it can make getting a restful night’s sleep even more challenging.

While a double bed may be big enough for some couples, if you enjoy having more space to spread out, upgrading to a king-size bed is a good idea. To help you find the right size, read our bed and mattress size guide.

If space isn’t an issue, but you both have different comfort preferences, a hybrid mattress allows you to have the best of both worlds. You can also choose a split tension mattress with different firmness levels on each side to accommodate varying needs.

If you’re a solo sleeper and want to experience the benefits of sleeping with someone without the cons, try getting a body pillow to snuggle up to. Or, use a weighted blanket to help relieve anxiety and keep you warmer at night. If you have a furry friend, you could always invite them in for a cuddle, too.

In fact, pets make the best bedtime buddies. 66% of people in our Sleep Survey loved having them in bed, and 18% said they’d prefer having a pet in bed over a partner!

Sleeping with your loved one can have a positive impact on your emotional and physical well-being, from making you happier and less anxious to lowering blood pressure and boosting your immune system. Sleeping with someone can make it easier to sleep at night, helping you get better rest and wake up feeling refreshed.

Not only are there personal benefits to sharing a bed, but it can also improve your relationship, creating a stronger bond. For the ultimate romantic experience, pair your cuddly night with breakfast in bed.

Want to improve your sleep further? Discover our expert-approved ways to sleep better at night.