Olivia Wilde has an unexpected take on a growing relationship trend, called “bedroom divorce”.
The actress recently discussed the concept of a so-called “bedroom divorce” during an appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast, where the conversation turned to whether couples really need to share a bed to maintain a strong relationship.
A “bedroom divorce” doesn’t mean a couple is ending their relationship. Instead, the term refers to partners choosing to sleep in separate bedrooms for a variety of reasons.
Couples are often expected to share a bed, with the idea that sleeping together is a sign of a healthy relationship deeply ingrained in our culture. However, Wilde thinks separate sleeping spaces could be a good thing.
“I don’t know, I think that’s kind of sexy. I’m intrigued by that. You could, you could invite her over in a way that allows for maybe there’s a little bit of mystery in there,” she said, according to LADbible.
“I think that’s interesting.”
What is “bedroom divorce”?
Wilde went on: “In American culture, why do we think, ‘Oh, we’re so intimate. We know everything. I know everything about him. He knows everything about me. That means we’re really close?’
“And it’s like, are you close? Are you close, or do you feel an entitlement to this person’s private life because that makes you feel somehow safe?
“And does that work for you in one way but inherently remove the necessary erotic charge that keeps you interested in this person? And is that one reason why so many marriages fail? Maybe.”
And despite what some might think, sleeping in separate bedrooms is far from unusual. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), slightly more than 30% of American couples have chosen to try a “bedroom divorce,” also known as a “sleep divorce.”
Sleeping in separate beds could have benefits
AASM spokesperson Dr. Seema Khosla previously explained: “As clinicians, we’ve seen our patients and their spouses become more intentional about their sleep environment as they try to improve their sleep health. Often, this includes a conversation about separate sleep spaces to accommodate temperature preferences or even ambient lighting and noise,” according to LADbible.
“When our sleep is compromised due to a disruptive partner, resentment can grow. Poor sleep also leads to diminished empathy, patience and understanding. Rather than fostering a poor sleep environment for appearances, a thoughtful conversation with the bed partner can result in a stronger relationship, since each partner is achieving more restful sleep.
“The key is to communicate preferences and be intentional about spending time together before retiring to separate sleep spaces.”
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