Peaceful nights are just a dream for UK couples as one in four confesses to sleeping in separate

bedrooms to escape a partner with unbearable bedtime habits, according to new research released

today. Those who do share a bed are robbed of more than 70 minutes sleep a night by noisy, restless

and duvet-hogging partners. That’s more than eight hours a week, or almost two years over the

lifetime of long-term a relationship.

The study of 4,000 couples by Etap Hotel reveals that snoring is the number one night time

disturbance for couples, causing 75 per cent of people to lose out on sleep. And it’s having a

detrimental effect on couple’s relationships with nearly a quarter of people harbouring feelings of

resentment towards their partner, and lack of sleep causing arguments in 43 per cent of

relationships. Sex drive suffers in over a quarter of relationships and one in twenty people would

even consider splitting up with someone because of their snoring problem.

It seems that celeb couples suffer too with Tom Cruise, Sid Owen and Kevin Jonas amongst those

reported to sleep separately from their other halves because of a serious snoring problem.

Also high on the list of nocturnal bug-bears for couples in the survey was stealing the bedcovers (a

problem for 58 per cent of people); restless limbs (52 per cent of people); muttering, mumbling and

moaning (49 per cent); and one in three experience a problem with their partner talking out loud in

their sleep.

The most restless region of the country is East Anglia which has the highest incidence of snoring,

duvet stealing, tossing and turning, and sleep walking, while people in Northern Ireland are the most

likely to talk in their sleep. Passive-snoring sufferers in Wales are most likely to unleash a verbal

assault on their slumbering partner, whereas the sleep deprived of the North East get physical, being

the most likely to shove their partner out of bed

.

But it’s not just snorers and their partners who suffer, lack of sleep is responsible for 62 per cent of

people being short-tempered with friends and colleagues, and 60 per cent of people say they

experience problems with poor concentration at work.

In response to the research, Etap Hotel is trialling a special package for sleep-deprived couples who

wish to sleep apart.

Watch the videos and see how snoring can follow you everywhere

- Keep an eye on the prices. It may be fun to start scanning everything you’ve ever wanted, but most of your guests probably won’t have more than $100 to spend on a gift. So keep some gifts that are low, around the $50 and $75 marker, just in case they can’t dish out $200 for that mixer you’ve always wanted.

- Check up on return policies for the store. Often they cater to newlyweds apart of registries, but just be sure, in case the need arises, you have the opportunity to exchange or return an item.

- Get at least one of your registries up online. This is a good idea for any guest that isn’t in town, or just for the ease of use. If they prefer not to go into the store, give them the option to buy you a gift online when they have time after work at home.

There is nothing like having great coffee fresh brewed right at home. A fancy barista will not go amiss with most couples. This is a great gift and it is likely to be used every single day for a long time. It is one appliance that they can really use, and probably haven’t splurged to buy themselves. If they do, its probably a sad little coffee maker. Get them the espresso machine for real wows.

Cook ware is still useful, but give them an upgrade. Put out the money for great cast iron, or copper. Not to mention a great set of knives. Professional grade chef knives can be used every day, and make meal preparation faster and safer. These are great ideas for the modern couple that need wedding gifts they can really use, so ditch the fondu set and get them something they need!

Other wedding registries may be done completely online, so guests from anywhere can see what you need and buy it as a gift for your big day.

The types of items most added to wedding registries are house hold goods. Such as appliances, cookware, linen, china, and other necessities for the newlywed life. However, now that more couples live with each other long before they are married, these gifts may be obsolete. This is all the more reason to have a registry. This lets your guests know what you prefer to receive, so you don’t end up with a coffee maker you already bought.