Boomers are leading a quiet revolution in the bedroom, according to a recent study from Talker Research, a market research company.
The study, which assessed the sleeping habits and preferences of different generations, revealed that baby boomers are more likely than younger generations to favor separate sleeping arrangements. As couples navigate the complexities of long-term relationships, it appears the traditional notion of sharing a bed is being reconsidered more by those born from 1946 to 1964, and even earlier.
The research, which surveyed 1,000 Americans, found that only 48 percent of boomers believe couples should always share a bed, compared to 69 percent of Gen Z respondents, who were born from 1997 to 2012.
Experts suggest that this trend reflects boomers’ practical approach to maintaining relationship satisfaction through “sleep divorces”—a term for consensual separate sleeping arrangements.
When asked if they slept better with their spouse or alone, 39 percent of boomers reported sleeping better alone, compared to 30 percent of Gen Z and just 18 percent of the Silent Generation. Furthermore, 35 percent of boomers believe it is normal for couples to sleep in separate beds, compared to only 27 percent of Gen Z.
“It’s not surprising that boomers feel less positive about sharing a bedroom with their partner compared to younger generations,” Dr. Molly Burrets, licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles, told Newsweek. “This shift could be because they recognize how less-than-stellar sleep can impact their overall health.”
Fatigue, irritability and even lower sex drive resulting from poor sleep can strain relationships, necessitating practical solutions like separate bedrooms.
Dr. Channa Bromley, a relationship coach, echoed this sentiment via email to Newsweek, saying that for boomers, separate sleeping arrangements might reflect a deeper level of self-awareness and honesty about their needs.
“For boomers, raised with traditional relationship ideals, sharing a bed was often seen as obligatory,” she said. “But as they’ve aged, they’ve likely begun prioritizing personal comfort and well-being over outdated notions of ‘togetherness.’”
Indeed, fears that separate bedrooms might impact a couple’s sex life are prevalent, even among those appearing to favor this arrangement—22 percent of Gen Z respondents and 30 percent of boomers believe it has a “somewhat negative” impact.
But Dr. Burrets offers a balanced perspective, suggesting that better sleep could improve intimacy. She advises couples to implement creative strategies, such as shared time in bed before one partner moves to another room or sleeping apart only on certain nights of the week.
“Younger generations often view shared sleeping arrangements as an extension of emotional intimacy,” Bromley added in her email. “But give them 30 years of snoring, tossing, and differing sleep schedules, and we might see a similar shift in their attitudes.”
Rather than signaling disconnectedness, the trend among boomers to sleep separately can be an empowering choice that fosters physical and mental health, ultimately benefiting the relationship.
“Couples should choose a sleep arrangement that prioritizes their well-being over societal expectations,” Burrets said.
For many boomers, reclaiming personal space through separate sleeping arrangements may be the most loving act they can offer themselves and their partners, redefining what it means to share a life together.
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