Absence does make the heart grow fonder!

London, June 28 (IANS) More than one in 10 British couples sleep in different bedrooms from each other in order to keep their relationship strong, according to study.

In addition, a third of couples take separate holidays from one another, and over a fifth often have "time out" to do separate things, such as stay with friends.

It also emerged that 39 percent of couples believe their relationship is healthier because they have independence in their home life, Daily Mail reported Thursday.

The study by Esure home insurers also found that one in 25 couples has even been taking a lengthy "sabbatical" from each other.

The survey questioned more than 1,000 people aged 18 or over.