A sleeping trend that is gaining traction among couples has spread to the travel circuit as more people say they want sleeping arrangements that are separate from their partners.
In a trend dubbed the “sleep divorce,” traveling couples are reportedly looking for ways to get some shut-eye while on vacation, according to Hilton’s “Trends 2025” report.
The Virginia-based hospitality company said nearly two-thirds of travelers, or 63%, admit they sleep better when alone.
“In fact, 37% of travelers prefer to sleep in a separate bed from their partner when traveling, and the majority of those traveling with children (3 in 4) think it’s best to sleep away from their children while traveling” , Hilton’s travel report said. . “So plan a solo trip. Restoration during family reunification.”
In 2023, “sleep divorce” was explored in a survey by the Illinois-based American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), with couples saying they were sleeping in separate rooms to “advance sleep.”
Men were more likely to sleep elsewhere, with 45% of them saying they do so “occasionally or constantly”, compared to 25% of women, the survey said.
Stacy Thiry, a Florida-based licensed mental health counselor at telehealth platform Grow Therapy, addressed the notion of “sleep divorce” moving into the travel world, saying the trend can have “pros and cons.”
“The first one [benefit] they’re just resting better,” Thiry told Fox News Digital in a phone interview. “Sleeping separately allows each person to have the environment they need for restful sleep, whether it’s a cooler room, or no snoring, or just quiet.”
“Possible pros may be less fighting or frustration if you’re in very close quarters together. [It] it can even increase bonding for some people who report feeling closer since they’re not waking up a little angry [after] a bad night’s sleep,” she added.
Thiry said challenges include physical distance, which can reduce the ability to have a spontaneous moment of love with a partner.
“There can be a stigma attached to it… There can be something wrong if you don’t want to share a bed,” she said.
“In the past, sharing a matrimonial bed or sharing a bed was seen as a hallmark of closeness in a relationship, and now I think couples are able to prioritize what works best in their relationship.”
“Another key element is that we are much more aware of the value of sleep,” Thiry said.
Sleep expert Dr. Wendy Troxel, a senior behavioral specialist at the RAND Corporation and a licensed clinical psychologist in Utah, agreed that some couples are choosing to sleep apart during the holidays “with the goal of improving sleep quality.”
Troxel told Fox News Digital, “This trend reflects a growing awareness that sleep is essential not only to personal health and well-being, but also to the health of relationships.”
Research “consistently shows” that sleep problems can lead to symptoms of increased irritability, poorer problem-solving skills and greater conflict, Troxel noted in her book, “Breaking the Covers: Everyone’s Guide to couple for better sleep”.
“All of these things can negatively affect relationships,” she told Fox News Digital.
“However, if this option is considered, it is essential to keep the dialogue open to ensure that the needs of both partners are met and to avoid feelings of abandonment or rejection.”
To maintain intimacy with a partner, Troxel recommended setting aside time for “closeness” before bed.
“It’s often the time before bed that is most important for maintaining connection and intimacy,” she said.
“The goal is to find a balance that works for both partners, ensuring the relationship remains strong and supportive and both partners sleep well, even while traveling.”
Sleeping apart is a decision unique to every relationship, according to Troxel, who stressed that there is “no one-size-fits-all strategy.”
She added: “If sleeping apart results in better sleep and happier days, it could actually lead to happier relationships for some couples.”
A Hilton spokesperson told Fox News Digital via email that the company’s research shows that guests have a greater focus on getting a good night’s sleep while on vacation.
“As sleep tourism has evolved, so has the conversation, with topics such as the ‘sleep divorce’ expected to increase in 2025,” the spokesperson noted.
For travelers looking to participate in the “sleeping divorce” trend, some hotels offer connecting rooms, “as they allow families or couples to stay close while still enjoying the quality of sleep that separate beds and rooms can provide,” it said. the spokesperson.
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