Set for separate bedrooms? • Christian Benedict featured as expert guest on SVT’s Studio 65

When is it time to consider a “sleep divorce”?
When you feel constantly tired and you can attribute your lack of sleep to your partner. Separate bedrooms are a bit taboo in Sweden, but the fact is that several couples who make perfect matches during daytime do not necessarily form an immaculate team at night. Many prefer a different temperature in the bedroom or have different circadian rhythm than their partner, and a study shows that couples who sleep together experience far more sleep problems than couples who sleep apart.

Sexologist Malena Ivarsson also participates in the program. Does she share your view on the matter?
I would say that we were pretty much on good terms throughout the entire taping. Jokes aside, our libido increases when we are rested, which is positive for the intimate aspect of a relationship. Good sleep routines also enhance empathy, stress management and patience. We simply become better versions of ourselves, which is a good foundation for any well-functioning relationship.

So are there only positive aspects of separate bedrooms?
As with most things, the reality is a little more complex than that. Many people report experiencing a sense of security when sleeping close to their partner. If you suffer from sleep apnea, the likelihood of detecting it is significantly higher when you sleep next to another person. You simply have to start from your own situation and assess what the best way forward is.

Do you and your wife sleep in the same room?
The fact is that I have slept on the couch for twenty-two years and counting. It began when my wife was pregnant with our first child together and she thought I was breathing a bit too heavily. Today we only sleep together when we are traveling, but no matter how wonderful our vacations may be, we both long to be able to sleep in our own separate rooms again.

What do you hope viewers take home from the TV program?
After the recording, SVT noted that the episode had such good chemistry that they decided to air it first in this year's season of Studio 65. Hopefully, it shines through so that we can help normalize the idea of separate bedrooms.

Text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Stefan Tell, Mikael Wallerstedt, SVT