Ever wondered why you sleep better next to someone you love?

Cuddling is a personal and intimate act, typically shared between romantic partners or very close family members or friends. It can take various forms, such as hugging, spooning in bed, or cosying up on the sofa. Regardless of its form, cuddling involves physical contact. Even if you're already a fan of cuddling, you might be amazed to discover its numerous advantages on your sleep. In this article, we explore the many benefits of cuddling, how it can enhance your sleep quality, and the optimal ways to snuggle with your loved one. 

What are the benefits of sleeping with a partner? 

Bed sharing is really important for our well-being. Experts have discussed the importance of bed sharing with loved ones and how it is essential for our well-being, promoting bonding, warmth, and skin-to-skin contact. It can strengthen relationships, enhance resilience, and counteract feelings of loneliness in today's disconnected world. It can also ease stress and boost sleep and if you don’t have someone to cuddle with, then taking more baths than showers can have the same ‘cocooning’ effect. 

Reduced stress and anxiety 

When you snuggle up with a loved one, your body produces a hormone known as oxytocin, which has a calming effect and enhances your ability to cope with stress. Additionally, cuddling can decrease the levels of cortisol, commonly referred to as the "stress hormone", providing further stress relief. 

Strengthens relationships 

While many people appreciate a warm embrace from a close friend or relative, physical contact from a romantic partner can be particularly fulfilling. Activities like cuddling can foster a stronger bond and attachment, and couples who frequently cuddle often report higher satisfaction in their relationships. One study also discovered that physical touch from a partner prior to a stressful event could help reduce the levels of stress hormones. 

Lowers blood pressure 

Cuddling and other types of physical contact can enhance key health indicators like blood pressure. Research suggests that just holding hands or hugging a loved one led to reduced blood pressure and heart rate measurements. A study identified a connection between affectionate touch and decreased blood pressure among married couples. 

Creates a bond 

As mentioned above, sleeping next to someone you love can create a strong bond between partners due to the release of oxytocin during cuddling and spooning in bed. Additionally, just being physically close to someone that you love at any point in the day can make you feel better. Physical contact releases dopamine and serotonin, both of which can boost your mood and help reduce depression. Therefore, sleeping next to someone you love not only helps improve the quality of your sleep but also strengthens your emotional bond and overall well-being. 

Cuddling in bed 

Cuddling with a romantic partner can also evoke a sense of tranquillity, comfort, and relaxation, which are all beneficial for sleep. Research has shown that spending more time in bed with a partner is linked to improved sleep quality. 

A study involving 90 couples revealed that most participants reported falling asleep while in physical contact with their partner, with spooning being the most common position. Other research has shown that even if partners prefer to sleep on different sides of the bed, they often cuddle before falling asleep, which could enhance intimacy and offer an added sense of security for some individuals during the inherently vulnerable state of sleep. 

The different cuddling in bed positions 

If you and your partner are looking to incorporate more cuddling into your routine, your time in bed presents a perfect chance. Cuddling serves as an excellent calming activity to help you unwind and release stress as part of your nightly bedtime routine. 

Experiment with various positions to discover the one that's most comfortable for you. Some of the most popular sleeping positions for couples include: 

Spooning 

A popular sleep position among couples is spooning, where both individuals lie on their sides, facing the same direction. The back of one partner, referred to as the little spoon, fits snugly into the front of the other, known as the big spoon. 

Given that side sleeping is the most prevalent sleep position among adults, spooning can align well with many people's natural sleep tendencies. If you’re keen to try, TEMPUR® offer pillows for side sleepers. Interestingly, in a study involving 90 couples, spooning was the most frequently reported position in which couples fell asleep. It's also a cozy position that can provide additional warmth for those who tend to feel cold while sleeping. 

Head on Shoulder 

Another frequently adopted cuddling position involves one person lying on their back while the other snuggles into them, lying on their side. One study discovered that over 17% of couples preferred this position. It could be an ideal choice for couples who have different sleeping position preferences. 

Back-to-back 

In this particular position, each individual lies on their side, facing away from their partner, with only their backs in contact. According to a survey of couples, this is the second most popular cuddling position for falling asleep, with almost 19% of couples opting to sleep back-to-back. 

While cuddling in bed is undoubtedly a comforting and enjoyable experience, it's important to remember that a comfortable mattress is just as crucial for a good night's sleep. Investing in a TEMPUR® Material Mattress not only guarantees you a peaceful night's rest with less than 3% motion transfer, but also ensures that you are covered against any fault in materials for up to 10 years. With its precise adaptation to your body and proven pressure relief from sensitive areas like the shoulders, back, hips, and joints, a TEMPUR® Mattress is the perfect solution for anyone looking to achieve a truly restful and rejuvenating sleep experience. 

Sleep Divorce 

However, sleeping next to your significant other might not be for you. Sleep divorce is an arrangement between couples to sleep apart in order to improve their sleep quality. This may involve sleeping in separate beds, separate rooms, or following different sleep schedules. It is estimated that up to 25% of couples opt to sleep in their individual beds. Although it may appear unusual for some to sleep separately, this unconventional setup also carries numerous advantages. This can include increased feelings of restfulness, more personal time, a larger bed space, undisturbed sleep cycles, and reduced disagreements about sleep preferences. 

Disadvantages to Sleep Divorce 

However, sleeping separately also has its drawbacks. Couples who choose this setup may experience a decrease in one-on-one time, feelings of abandonment, a loss of connection, increased conflict, and the potential to grow apart. While a "sleep divorce" may not be the ideal solution for every couple, it's worth considering it if sleep disturbances are affecting your relationship well-being. Open communication and scheduling quality time together outside of sleep hours are crucial for making this arrangement work. 

Whether you and you partner sleep in the same bed or not, isn't it time to prioritise your sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated every morning?