Sleep Better: Get Your Own Blanket

When it’s cold out, cuddling under a blanket with our significant other might seem sweet, comforting and romantic. But could there be negatives hidden beneath this blissful picture? If you want to improve the quality of your sleep during the night, read on to find out why sharing a blanket might not be your best bet.

Temperature is a Factor in Good Sleep

The temperature of the room when trying to sleep is a huge factor in how much quality sleep a person gets. Too cold, and we can wake up shivering. Too warm, and we won't be able to get into the deep sleep we need to heal and feel well-rested. When people share a bed, there can be differences of opinion about what the temperature should be. 

Having two blankets can help both people have a more comfortable night. It allows us to choose a material and blanket weight that’s different from our partner’s preferences. It will also allow us to get a breather from their body heat if they run hotter or colder than we do.

Blanket Stealers Can Make for Frustrating Nights

If one person gets cold easily, or if they just toss and turn a lot during the night, they might steal, or “hog” the blankets by pulling them onto their side of the bed. These blanket hogs make it difficult for the other person to sleep well. Waking up cold and uncomfortable because a partner has stolen all the blankets and has them on their side of the bed isn’t much fun. Not only is it frustrating and stressful, but it can lead to poor sleep quality, as well.

Or have you ever been sound asleep and had your partner fluff the blankets, sending a cold stream of air down our back. We get the shivers just thinking about it!

Partners Are a Big Cause of Sleep Disturbances

When people don’t sleep well they often look for reasons like stress, what they ate, and other factors. They might not want to point the finger at their partner but they may actually be the cause. Unfortunately, partners contribute to a lot of problems with poor sleep. A 2005 study even found that one-third of all sleep disturbances were caused by the partner the person shared a bed with. So whether we're prepared to blame the partner for our lack of shut-eye or not, the partner could well be part of the problem.

Good Blanket Hygiene is Very Important

Keeping blankets clean and comfortable, along with airing them out frequently and making sure they’re the right size and weight for a particular person, all matter. Taking good care of the blankets used on a bed can mean a better experience in that bed, whether with a partner or not.

Before you think that this is the end of all the good stuff, it turns out that when two blankets are used by a couple, it can even help foster more intimacy because, as an added bonus, better sleep can make women more interested in sex the next day, according to a 2015 study. 

Anyone who’s looking for better sleep but still wants to share a bed with their partner may do well with their own blanket as a sort of compromise toward both sleeping better. Two-blanket systems are common in Germany and throughout parts of Europe for all of these reasons. As long as it’s not a way to avoid intimacy, go ahead and get your own blanket. You (and your partner) could be very glad you did.

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