Why Do Couples Sleep At Different Temperatures?

It's an age-old point of contention for couples. Someone is too hot. Someone is too cold. There doesn't seem to be any setting on the thermostat or combination of blankets that satisfies both parties.

Don't fret! There are answers to your problem. Let's talk about a few.

What's The Cause Of Different Sleep Temperatures?

Before we dive into the solutions, let's take a look at the cause.

Our bodies have a pretty incredible process of regulating our internal temperatures called thermoregulation. While we sleep, our bodies cool down by a degree or two to help facilitate the slowing of our heart rate and breathing.

This cooling process begins in the late afternoon, and our bodies start to warm back up about two hours before waking. This process is very much a result of how our brains process daylight or the lack thereof.

The Ideal Sleeping Temperature for Couples

Whether you're a guy or a gal science agrees that the optimal temperature to sleep at is between sixty and sixty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Each individual has a different ideal temperature within that seven-degree range, so it may be a more challenging issue for couples than just experimenting with the thermostat.

Some couples have even gone so far as sleeping in separate beds or even in different rooms. This is ominously nicknamed "sleep divorce," and for many couples, it may seem like their last hope for getting a good night's rest.

Investing in a second mattress or taking up residence on the couch may not be your best choice. Studies have shown that sleeping in the same bed as your partner can reduce stress hormones and boost oxytocin levels, which helps us to manage stress.

Quick Fact: Did you know over 50% percent of couples prefer to sleep at different temperatures? This is neither uncommon or unusual!

Don't worry. Answers are coming.

Why Are Women Colder Than Men?

"He sleeps like a furnace!" is not an unusual thing to hear a loving wife say. There's a reason for this, though — namely, metabolic rate.

This isn't always the case, but women commonly have less muscle mass than men, and as a result, men burn more calories to fuel their muscles which in turn causes a slightly higher internal temperature than that of women.

Even if science agrees that the perfect sleeping temperature is within that seven-degree range, a wife may feel more comfortable on the high end while a husband may prefer to sleep a bit cooler.

Solutions: How Couples Can Sleep At Their Personal Ideal Temperature

Sleep impacts every area of our health, and it is essential that we do our very best to make sure our bodies have that time to rest. If you're consistently finding that you and your partner cannot find a temperature that allows for uninterrupted, restful sleep, then it may be time to look at some options.

• Dual Zone Mattresses – Just like the name suggests, these mattresses have separate sides that allow each individual to adjust their own temperature. An excellent option for this is the Sleep Number bed.
• Warming and Cooling Pads – You may not be in the market for a brand new mattress, but you can still simulate the effect of a dual zone mattress by sleeping on a pad that has its own thermostat system. A pad like the CUBE or Ooler has options for each side of the bed to have its own unique temperature.
• Bed Fans – This may seem like a no brainer to use a fan, but there are some fans specifically designed to blow air under your blankets. An option like the Bedjet helps create a dual temperature zone in your bed, especially if you take advantage of their specially made blankets that separate the two sides of the bed. This allows one partner to regulate their temperature while the other is left undisturbed.

Hope For The Sleepless

It may seem like solutions to this ancient issue are hard to come by, but with a little investigation and possibly investment, it's possible for couples to eliminate this problem.

If strongly worded notes stuck to the thermostat or committing sleep divorce haven't done the trick, we hope the information above helps you to understand why couples have different sleep temps, and what you can do about it.