Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash
Cocooned within the soft embrace of shared blankets, the simple act of sleeping in bed with a partner transcends the realm of mere rest into an intimate experience that fosters emotional closeness. In the quietude of the night, as both bodies find solace in the gentle contours of the mattress, an unspoken bond unfolds. It is a sanctuary where vulnerabilities are laid bare, and dreams are shared in the silent language of proximity. Far beyond the realm of physical intimacy, this nightly ritual becomes a tapestry woven with trust, comfort, and an unspoken understanding that draws two souls closer, creating a haven where love and connection flourish in the tender hours of slumber.
New research has revealed exactly what your sleep position says about your relationship – and the results might surprise you. Sleep experts have identified the ten most popular positions, which include back-to-back sleepers, spooners, pet blockers (pets coming between the couple), selfish caterpillars (one person is cocooned in the duvet), face-to-facers (cuddling nose to nose), bear huggers, starfish, cliffhangers (one person dominating the space), loners (those who never touch) and couples who top and tail.
And the study revealed a host of insights about what your sleep position means for your relationship – with surprisingly, couples who position themselves back-to-back (70 percent) feeling the most secure in their relationships. Yet bear huggers are the most passionate, getting intimate 12 times a month on average, the highest number of all sleep positions. And its bad news for loners, as these sleepers only get intimate five times, or less, a month.
The Snuggle-Sutra Report, commissioned by eveSleep, reveals that starfish couples have the most arguments – at least six every month, on average. Meanwhile, cliffhangers insist their relationship is the most fun (46 percent) and couples who sleep with a pet in the bed are the most likely to have a clam and chilled relationship (83 percent said their relationship was mellow).
Psychologist Jo Hemmings, who worked with eveSleep to analyse the research said: “Cuddling in bed, whatever your style, releases the hormone oxytocin in the brain. Often known as the ‘cuddle hormone’, oxytocin calms you, relieves stress by reducing cortisol and creates a healthy emotional bond between you and your partner.
Lisa Richards, Head of Marketing at eveSleep, which commissioned the research said: “It’s fascinating to see the broad variety of snuggle-sutra positions that are out there AND more importantly what they say about the type of relationship you have with your partner.
“Of course, there is no right or wrong position to cuddle together in bed, and choosing the right mattress that supports your cuddling and sleeping position can help ensure that you are both in harmony with each other!”
Perhaps surprisingly, despite being far apart from each other, 47 percent of loners confess that they LOVE being in a relationship.
But watch your back if you’re in a top and tail relationship – 61 percent admit they are NOT that trustworthy.
Also, if you’re having problems nodding off, you may like to know that couples who cuddle in proximity seem to get the most sleep, with bear huggers and face to face sleepers banking at least seven hours a night, the highest number of all positions.
THE TEN MOST POPULAR SLEEP POSITIONS FOR COUPLES (SNUGGLE-SUTRA) – WHICH ONE ARE YOU?
1. Back-to-backers (sleep back-to-back)
2. Spooners (love to spoon)
3. Pet blocks (pets sleep in the bed)
4. Selfish caterpillars (one person cocooned in the duvet, leaving the other duvet-less)
5. Face-to-facers (nose to nose, slightly apart)
6. Bear huggers (full on hugging, face to face)
7. Starfish (both couples on their backs with arms and legs apart)
8. Cliffhangers (one person dominating the space)
9. Loners (those who never touch)
10. Top and Tailers (sleep at different ends of the bed)
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