Love To Sleep Alone In Bed? This Study Might Make You Change Your Mind

Learning to love your partner the way they want to be loved, coupled with acts of service, is a sound way to ensure you and your bae both feel emotionally secure in a relationship... But turns out the key to feeling loved is snuggling up to your partner. And just in case, if you are used to giving your better half a wide berth while sleeping... Maybe it is time to reconsider and pull them closer and cuddle.

A study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships revealed that couples who sleep together and cuddle experience lower stress levels and a significant improvement in their emotional security.

“Physical closeness at sleep onset may be a promising and amenable avenue for improving relational and physiological well-being,” says the study.

Calm Energy: Switch On  

Based on a study of 143 heterosexual couples who had been together for an average of 13 years, the researchers examined their sleeping behaviours and closeness in bed. From cuddling and spooning to sleeping face-to-face, they identified patterns in these behaviours.

Those who slept closely, cuddling or spooning, experienced significantly lower stress and emotional insecurity. This closeness also provided reassurance to individuals with anxious attachment styles, easing their stress. Ultimately, being close to someone while sleeping fosters a sense of comfort and security for both partners.

Hello, Oxytocin

One of the major reasons why snuggling works is that cuddling your partner releases the happy chemical called oxytocin. Also known as the bonding hormone, it promotes feelings of warmth and trust. That is why a quiet snuggle feels oh, so good and helps build strong emotional ties in a relationship.

So, How We Sleep Individually Matters Too?

The results showed no significant associations between preferred individual sleep positions and couple physical sleep positions. While sleeping position, whether side, back, or stomach, didn’t significantly impact relationship satisfaction, closeness during sleep was more important.

Interestingly, some participants naturally adjusted their sleeping habits to be closer to their partner, showcasing how emotional connection can often override physical habits.

Do you like cuddling your partner?