Whether you’re welcoming guests into your home or you’ll be the ones visiting family over the holidays, the chances are that your usual sleeping arrangements are about to be disrupted. For couples who tend to sleep best while sleep divorced, that can be tricky.
Check out our guide to this year's best mattresses for expert tested recommendations for all sleepers.
If you’re part of a couple who prefer to sleep separately all year, only to be thrown back together for Christmas, you might be wondering how on earth you’re going to get quality sleep. As a restless sleeper who’s married to a snorer, I get it.
However, you don’t have to resign yourself to not getting any sleep over the holidays. These are my top three tips for happily sharing a bed this Christmas, regardless of what keeps you apart for the rest of the year.
Reflect on why you spent the last year sleeping separately
Before we get into my tips to sleeping better together (albeit, temporarily), take some time to reflect on why you’ve both spent a large part of the past year sleeping separately. Identifying what it is that disrupts you when you sleep in the same bed can make it easier to find a solution.
For example, my husband snores, so I know that in order to be able to sleep peacefully next to him I have to know how to sleep next to someone who snores. That could be investing in the best sleep headphones, or making sure we’re stocked up on nasal strips to keep airways open.
If one of you is prone to hogging the duvet or comforter, consider sizing up so there's plenty to go around. Taking the time to drill down into what it is that stops you sleeping well next to each other is the first step to getting a good night's rest.
3 tips to sleeping better together over the holidays
The prospect of sharing a bed after sleeping separately all year might be daunting, but there's plenty you can do to ensure you both get a decent night's rest.
1. Invest in a decent pair of ear plugs
Believe me when I say that a decent pair of earplugs could save your sleep this Christmas. With their customizable sizes and soft silicone design, my favorites are the Loop Dream Earplugs, the only earplugs from the brand made specifically for sleeping.
At $49.99, you might balk at the price. But if blocking out the window-rattling sound of someone snoring is important to you (and you can afford them), they're well worth the investment.
The problem with earplugs is that you don't know that you need them until you desperately need them, so it's worth stocking up in advance. Plus, a great pair of earplugs aren't just for those who sleep next to someone who snores.
If you're sleeping somewhere slightly unfamiliar, or there's more people than normal under your roof and rattling around at all hours, having something on hand to minimize ambient sound is an excellent idea.
My top tip:
If you don't like the idea of sleeping with anything in your ears, a white noise machine will also go some way to drowning out unfamiliar sounds, whether it's the whirring noise of a fridge or someone snoring.
2. Adopt the Scandinavian method
For anyone unfamiliar, the Scandinavian Sleep Method is a term to describe when a couple shares the same bed, but each use a separate blanket or duvet. We recommend this method to couples with different sleep temperature preferences, as it means that the hot sleepers can use a lighter weight comforter, while those who like to keep toasty and warm can use something heavier.
Using two separate twin size comforters as opposed to one larger one means that neither of you can accuse the other of hogging all the blanket. Plus, if you're operating on different sleep schedules, you're less likely to be disturbed by the other when getting in and out of bed.
My top tip:
If separate twin bedding sets isn't an option, sizing up on your comforter or duvet is the next best thing. So, if you're sleeping on a full size mattress, sizing up your comforter to a queen size will ensure there's plenty of blanket to go around, so no one will be accused of hogging it.
3. Create a buffer between you
If your bed is big enough, I recommend creating some kind of buffer between you. This could be anything from a rolled up comforter or line of pillows, but creating a barrier means you're less likely to be jolted awake by a stray foot or arm invading your personal space.
If you're someone who sleeps on their side, investing in a body pillow is a great way to maintain healthy sleep posture while also creating a clear division between the two of you. It's also a great option for those who just like to place something between their knees, deterring you from snatching up more of the duvet.
A body pillow also cuts down on any tossing and turning, which, let's be honest, can be hugely annoying to sleep next to — especially if you're temporally sleeping on an air mattress.
Top tip: Our sleep features editor Lauren credits her 360 body pillow for helping her sleep soundly next to her husband night after night. Creating her own little cocoon helps her fall asleep fast, while also relieving pressure along the touch-points of the mattress.
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