Some people are cuddlers who love to be snuggled up to their partner in bed, while others are more comfortable with plenty of space to themselves, but new research may have them reconsidering. A new study looks at the way sleeping positions relate to relationship security and it turns out, being nice and close is great for relationships long-term.
Researchers from Auburn University wanted to know if the way couples position themselves when falling asleep has any impact on their emotional connection and relationship longevity.
- For the study, they worked with 143 couples who’ve been together for an average of 13 years, but some relationships were longer than three decades.
- The research reveals that being physically close during the first few minutes of sleep “plays a crucial role in establishing emotional security.”
- Couples who fall asleep in close contact - even if they move apart at some point during the night - tend to report higher relationship satisfaction and longevity.
- It turns out, those first few minutes of being in bed together are pretty important for maintaining healthy long-term relationships.
- Couples who stayed physically close when they first got into bed showed lower stress levels and reported feeling more secure in their relationship than those who kept their distance.
- The reduced stress seems to promote a more secure attachment style, which researchers say is a predictor of relationships lasting long-term.
The study even identifies the best sleeping positions for relationship stability and longevity. They all have one thing in common - being physically close in the initial sleep phase.
- Spooning position (one partner curled behind the other)
- Face-to-face position with some physical contact
- Embracing position with arms wrapped around each other
- Hand-holding while lying in close to each other
- Touching at certain points (feet, legs, or back) while staying in comfortable sleeping positions
Source: Evidence Network