Dogs do it, birds do it, cats do it, probably all of nature does it. They huddle together to sleep. Not on top of each other necessarily but simple next to and in contact.
The reason I ask, is my first (now late husband) of 33 years and I must have been “pack sleeper” - like the animals.
As a solo before and after this relationship, I was comfortable sleeping on my own. Post menopause with continued sleep disturbing heat spikes, I developed a bedsheet and learnt to sleep naked so my body could naturally thermulate. My sleep became excellent again - not before time.
Then I met my now partner of 18 months but I can’t sleep if he turns away from me before I go to sleep. He doesn’t like contact during sleep yet it seems I must have contact if I am not alone.
Has anyone given this topic and thought? - I’ll call it ‘solo sleeping’ and ‘pack sleeping’. Has this been brought up by anybody before? My partner is a quiet sleeper and doesn’t move much. I believe he wakes easily though.
BTW - I’ve looked closely into any psychological necessity for needing to be a ‘pack sleeper’ and don’t seem to have any unresolved issues.
Hi Gill! There actually have been a plethora of studies on bed sharing vs. sleeping alone and the pros and cons. Here’s some highlights (and the studies for your reference):
Increased REM Sleep: A 2020 study found that couples who share a bed experience a 10% increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a phase important for emotional processing and memory consolidation.
Enhanced Mental Health: Sharing a bed with a partner has been linked to lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as increased life and relationship satisfaction.
Improved Sleep Quality: Co-sleeping with a partner or spouse is associated with better sleep quality, including longer sleep duration and reduced fatigue.
All this said, it’s really personal preference like you mentioned. Everyone’s different and if someone is used to sleeping alone, they may not experience the benefits listed above.
Thanks for your reply Logan, It’s good to know there’s a definite feel-good factor from sleeping with a partner. Would a single person get benefit from hugging a toy, pillow or something as such?
There might be some benefits to hugging a pillow or something similar, as it can mimic that feeling, but can’t say for sure! It probably depends on if you like the cuddling aspect of bed-sharing, or if it’s more the connection and physicality of having another person close to you. But it’s worth a shot I’m sure!