(HealthyResearch.com) – There are plenty of things you can share in bed — intimacy, conversation, laughter, and more — but research shows there’s one thing you shouldn’t share if you want to get a good night’s sleep: your blanket. Read on to find out more about why you might want your very own blanket if you’d like to maximize your chances of a great night’s sleep.
A Cultural Difference
When it comes to getting a good night’s rest, every sleeper on the planet should ideally have his or her own blanket. In the U.S. and England (and Australia and Canada), we typically use a single comforter to cover the entire bed — and ourselves. Countries like Germany and Sweden tend toward the double duvet instead.
IKEA, the popular Swedish home store now based in the Netherlands, even came out with a “TOG-ether Bundle” advertising campaign so Brits and Americans could sleep like the Swedes. The package featured two duvets instead of a single comforter.
Why Sharing a Blanket is Bad
Typical complaints when sharing a blanket can include:
- Disagreements on temperature. One person may feel cold and want a heavier blanket, while the other might feel too hot and want something lightweight.
- Annoyances of how much blanket the other person needs. If you’ve ever shared a bed with a blanket hog, you know exactly what we mean.
- Not feeling comfortable. One person might toss and turn too often or throw the blanket off both people during the middle of the night.
It makes perfect sense that different people might have different sleep requirements. If each person has a blanket of their own, it can be tailored to individual needs and desires. Cumulatively, these nagging little differences can add up to some major sleep disruptions.
Better Sleep Might Mean Better Health
One study found that up to 30% of sleep disturbances in couples who sleep together are caused by bed partners. One way to possibly minimize those disturbances is by using individual blankets. Better sleep might lead to improved cognitive performance during the day, weight loss and lower calorie consumption, better rest, and overall improved health. It might also lead to a more harmonious relationship if both partners are better rested.
Our take? One blanket per person might make both partners happier, healthier, and better rested. Enjoy the comfort and sweet dreams!
~Here’s to Your Health & Safety!
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