Ahh the trials and tribulations of cohabiting, especially when sharing a bed. It’s not one long romp in the dark, which is probably why the Scandinavian sleep method is blowing up on TikTok. The method, which sees a simple reconfiguration when it comes to your bedding, has been credited with restoring zen to users’ sleep routines and, also, saving a fair few relationships along the way.
You know what they say, couples who sleep together, stay together, which is why problems can arise when your partners’ night-time habits cause you to miss out on much-needed shut-eye.
In general, sharing a bed with your other half can be beneficial – not just to your relationship, but to your sleep health – and in many cases, it can actually lead to better kip. According to The Better Sleep Council, sleeping next to a loved one can cause your brain to release oxytocin (also known as the “cuddle chemical” or “love hormone”), which can reduce anxiety and instil a sense of calmness and security, giving you a better, deeper sleep. Likewise, your partner’s (gentle) breathing pattern can create a rhythm which makes it easier for you to fall asleep against.
But, obviously, this isn’t always the case. If their snoring sounds like a car backfiring, or they like to stay up late with the light on, it can get in between you and some seriously sweet dreams. Sound familiar? Over on TikTok #couplessleepingproblems has over 4.8 million views, and (aside from the snoring) duvet hogging is one of the main problems couples come up against.
But, one clever TikTok video from scandi cabin owner, Cecilia Blomdahl, has presented a solution that users are declaring “life-changing”.
“Every time I do my bed, I get so many comments about it,” Cecilia wrote in her video. She added “my name is Cecilia and I live on Svalbard, an island close to the North Pole, but I am originally from Sweden. I think the way we do our beds is pretty common in Europe, but it’s completely different to America.” And it’s not typical for the UK either. The major difference? “We have two duvets here,” Cecilia explained, laying the bed with the two duvets next to each other: one for each person in the bed. “I could never live with one,” she added, concluding “voila, Scandinavian bed is done.”
In the comments, people are on board. “2 duvets saves relationships,” one user said, while another commented “I could never share my duvet 🥰it’s a Scandinavian thing.” Yet another even said: “We recently got 2 duvets and it’s been the best choice for the longevity of our marriage 😂.”
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“If you find yourself playing a never-ending battle of tug-of-war with the duvet and waking up to yourself duvet-less halfway through the night, the Scandinavian sleep method will finally put the cover-hogger issue to bed,” confirmed Jessica Hanley, founder of loungewear and homeware brand, Piglet in Bed, who has some advise on how to make your bed feel and look heavenly.
“To set your bed Scandinavian-style, you’ll need to start by adding a fitted sheet and grab two twin duvets. Take your first duvet and lay it a little more than halfway across the bed and repeat with the second blanket so that they overlap. For some added comfort, drape a textured throw or bedspread across the bottom of the bed, and voila! You have an enviable bed you just cannot wait to climb into,” Jessica says.
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Another TikTok from @bed.threads, even pointed out you can use the opportunity to choose a tog that best suits you, so if your partner likes to be toasty-hot, but you prefer something a little breezier, you can pick your own duvet accordingly. “You can choose a duvet that suits your temperature and thickness preferences,” they said. “And you can enter/exit the bed without disturbing your partner as much.” It may be simple, but it could make a whole load of difference to your sleep quality.
For more from GLAMOUR’s Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk