Do adults sleep better alone or with someone else in bed?

BOSTON – Do you think adults sleep better alone or with someone else in the bed? The answer may surprise you.

You would think that if you have a whole bed to yourself, you'd be more likely to get a good's night sleep than if you have someone sleeping right beside you who might toss and turn or snore. Turns out, that's not true. 

Researchers at the University of Arizona looked at data on more than 1,000 working-age adults and found those who shared a bed with a partner most nights reported less severe insomnia, less fatigue, and more time asleep than those who never share a bed.

They also reported being more satisfied with their relationships as well as lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. 

The theory is sleeping with others may help people feel safer and more secure. However, those who slept with a child most nights reported worse sleep including greater insomnia, sleep apnea risk, and less control over their sleep.

In:
• Boston

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

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