The biggest ‘icks’ in the bedroom aren’t sexual!

What is an ‘ick’?

This newest dating TikTok trend took the internet by storm in 2020, with millions sharing the most innocuous things that give you that sudden and intense cringe feeling that for some reason means you can never go near that person again. Getting the ‘ick’ isn’t about doubting your whole relationship … in some ways it’s worse! You have no idea how painful it is to find something so trivial about someone so repulsive until you experience the ‘ick’. Some generic ‘icks’ include a strange cackling laugh, an awkward smile or eating food in bed and making the bed all crummy. While others also took to twitter to reveal some of their more niche ‘icks’, for example, slipping in the bath tub, sitting cross legged and even just the thought of them getting run over?! 

Have you ever experienced the ‘ick’?

Bed Guru recently surveyed 1,000 people to find out what habits we find the most ‘ick-worthy’ and annoying in the bedroom as well as what bad bedroom habits we’re guilty of ourselves. The survey found that while a lot of ‘icks’ happen in the bedroom, surprisingly the majority of them aren’t sexual! 

Although the ‘ick’ most commonly occurs in the first encounters with a person, it is also common for them to develop overtime in long-term relationships. The survey revealed that 83.3% of divorced respondents complained about their partner’s (or ex-partners) messy bedroom habits. This includes not making the bed, leaving clothes on the floor and not closing wardrobes or drawers properly. 

The ‘ick’ is contributing to rising divorce rates?!

While these domestic issues seem trivial at first, resentment can begin to build and once you have the ‘ick’ there is no going back! When aspiration for domestic bliss are not reciprocated and you’re stuck picking up their dirty underwear for years on end it’s common for people to get the ‘ick’. It becomes difficult to live with them, and especially difficult to share a bed with them! While these domestic issues are not the most common cause of divorce – or more specifically the ‘ick’ has not yet been named as a common cause for divorce – it has been proven that domestic issues play a huge part in people’s decision to divorce. 

Not living in domestic bliss doesn’t only lead to the ‘ick’ and cause arguments among couples, but can also massively impact individuals quality of sleep. Our environment plays a big part in how long it takes for us to fall asleep as well as how soundly we sleep. A messy bedroom can therefore result in both trouble getting to sleep and a disturbed night sleep. Clearing away or clearing out clutter in the bedroom can clear peoples thoughts, reduce anxiety and help you start your mornings more peacefully. 

Carl Walsh, resident sleep expert and owner of Bed Guru explains that: 

‘’The bedroom should be a harmonious and calming place, and if there are clothes on the floor or crumbs in the bed, you will feel distracted, which can cause your mind to feel overwhelmed, and it could impact your sleep. This could lead to a strained relationship with your partner, as sleep deprivation can be a number one cause of mood swings, and mood swings can often make your irritated with the people closest to you’’

The full results are as follows: