The Scandinavian Sleep Method Will Save You From A Blanket-Stealing Partner

There’s nothing worse than having a partner who hogs all the covers at night. When it’s cold out and all you want is to snuggle up and get warm, sleeping next to someone who acts like the blankets belong only to them can be downright infuriating. And while it may not seem like a big deal, many couples have terrible sleep patterns thanks to the habits of their bedmates. As a result, the National Sleep Foundation found that 25% of couples sleep in separate beds to try and get some decent shut-eye. If you want to stay close to your S.O. but you’re sick of being cold all night, the Scandinavian sleep method might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

What is the Scandinavian sleep method?

Simply put, the Scandinavian sleep method is named as such because it’s popular across the likes of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark as well as other European countries. Instead of sharing (and fighting over) blankets, each person in the couple has their own. This way, you can cover up or get some air whenever you want without disturbing your partner. Plus, you can get the thickness and filler you want rather than compromising with your partner’s preferences.

With your own blankets, you’re more likely to get comfortable, uninterrupted sleep. You control your temperature and how much of the blanket is over you (and wrapped around you) at any time. Sounds like it’s worth trying, especially for those of us whose hormones can often make us freezing cold or boiling hot out of nowhere.

Why this might be worth trying in your relationship

  1. It alleviates the need for a total sleep divorce. If your partner’s tendency to steal the blankets and leave you freezing overnight is getting you down, you might even have considered sleeping in different rooms. You might be so fed up with trying to yank the covers back every night that you’d rather sleep alone. The Scandinavian sleep method means you don’t have to do that. You can stay close while being as comfortable as possible.
  2. Better sleep = fewer arguments. Having your sleep patterns interrupted by a partner can leave you exhausted and irritable during the day. That means more fights with your partner, especially if they’re the cause of your tiredness. By getting a better night’s rest, you’ll have more patience and are less likely to be at each other’s throats.
  3. Not everyone has the same sleep habits. Maybe you’re always hot and need a lighter blanket while your partner is always freezing and wants a heavy down comforter, or vice versa. That’s okay, but it can make sleeping miserable. The Scandinavian sleep method respects the fact that everyone is different in their sleep preferences, and that’s okay. Get your own blankets. You’ll be happier!
  4. It may positively affect your sex life. The less cranky you are, the more amenable you’ll be to getting it on more often. It’s hard to want to have sex with your partner when you’re fuming at them for keeping you awake and cold all night. By doing what you need to do to get the best night’s sleep possible, you can focus on what really matters in your relationship. And yes, getting it on is part of that. Hey, it’s worth trying!
  5. Sleeping together comes with its own share of benefits. There are a variety of benefits that come with sleeping next to someone you love. Not only can you boost your immune system and lower your blood pressure, it also helps reduce overall inflammation and anxiety. That’s down to the increase in the feel good hormone oxytocin and a reduction of stress hormone cortisol, per The Good Body. In other words, it’s worth trying.
Jennifer Still is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. The managing editor of Bolde, she has bylines in Vanity Fair, Business Insider, The New York Times, Glamour, Bon Appetit, and many more. You can follow her on Twitter @jenniferlstill
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