Nearly half of recently divorced Britons say snoring or sleep disorders contributed to the breakdown of their marriage, according to a new survey. The research, commissioned by healthcare company 32Co, found that 47 per cent of divorcees cited noise-related sleep issues as a factor in their separation.
The study also revealed that three-quarters of couples affected by snoring were forced into separate bedrooms, a phenomenon known as a 'sleep divorce'. Of those, 85 per cent believed this arrangement directly contributed to their eventual divorce, with half now considering snoring a dealbreaker in relationships.
Dr Sonia Szamocki, founder and CEO of 32Co, said the disruption caused by snoring can exacerbate other relationship problems. 'You can see the cascade of events that lead to married people drifting apart, not necessarily feeling like they're a couple anymore,' she explained. 'If you throw in other stressors, it's harder to maintain a close relationship.'
The NHS states that snoring occurs when the tongue, mouth, throat or airways vibrate as they relax and narrow during sleep. Professor Ama Johal, an expert in sleep-related breathing disorders, noted that sleeping on the back can worsen snoring due to gravity pulling the tongue, and advised couples to discuss the issue openly.
'It's completely normal to experience this, and there is well-recognised, evidence-based treatment,' Professor Johal said. The experts recommend seeking medical advice and considering non-invasive treatments, rather than viewing snoring as an inevitable part of life.
