Bedtime cuddling promotes relationship security and reduces stress, study finds

Snuggling with your partner could be more beneficial than you think. A new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests that cuddling at night can promote a more secure attachment between partners and lower stress levels.

Researchers from Auburn University examined data from 143 heterosexual couples who shared a bed, analyzing the associations between physical closeness at sleep onset, perceived stress, attachment insecurity, and sleep disturbance. Factors such as daytime sleepiness, income, age, relationship length, sleep diagnoses, and whether children or pets sleep in the bed were also taken into consideration.

The results of the study revealed that couples who assumed a physically closer position upon going to sleep were indirectly linked with lower couple insecure attachment and lower stress levels. Interestingly, the researchers found no significant associations between physical closeness at sleep onset and the chances of sleep disturbance.

While stress levels were found to be lower among couples who cuddle, the study also found that cuddling did not necessarily increase sleep quality. However, the researchers concluded that physical closeness at sleep onset may be a promising way to improve relational and physiological well-being.

Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD, noted that the findings highlight the vital role that shared time and physical touch play in emotional well-being. Troxel emphasized that even brief moments of closeness before bed can enhance a relationship and overall well-being.

The study found that most couples sleep in the same position as their partner, with various levels of physical contact. While 36.3% of couples reported not touching or cuddling at night, those who did touch reported sleeping back to back, having some contact like touching an arm or leg, spooning, intertwining, or sleeping face to face.

Study co-author Josh R. Novak, PhD, confirmed that the more physically close position couples are in, the more feelings of relational safety were present due to lower stress levels. Novak emphasized that cuddling with a partner can be both a barometer of how a relationship is doing and a way to maintain or repair a relationship.

While the researchers did not study how much time was spent in a cuddling position, Novak encouraged couples to cuddle if stress levels are high, as it’s a nonverbal way to feel secure and safe. He also suggested that cuddling could be a way to start the process of resolving conflicts and moving towards repair in a relationship.

In conclusion, the simple act of cuddling before sleep can have powerful psychological and physiological effects, such as reducing stress levels and deepening emotional connections. Whether you and your partner sleep together or apart, don’t skip the cuddle before bed, as it can have a positive impact on your relationship and overall well-being.