Couples who cuddle before sleep reap key health benefits, study reveals

Snuggling with your partner could be a win-win for your health.

Researchers from Auburn University examined data from 143 heterosexual "bed-sharing" couples, analyzing associations between physical closeness at sleep onset, perceived stress, attachment insecurity and sleep disturbance.

The results revealed that couples who assumed a physically closer position upon going to sleep were indirectly linked with "lower couple insecure attachment" (when they have trouble connecting emotionally) and lower stress.

While stress was found to be lower among cuddlers, the research found that cuddling did not increase sleep quality.

Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD - a RAND Corporation senior behavioral specialist and licensed clinical psychologist in Utah - shared with Fox News Digital how these findings highlight the "vital role" that shared time and physical touch play in emotional well-being.

Troxel, author of the book "Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep," commented on the "interesting" finding that cuddling did not influence sleep quality.

"This suggests that it's the moments spent together before falling asleep - not necessarily sharing the entire night - that have the greatest positive effect on a relationship," said the expert, who was not involved in the study.

"The simple act of cuddling before sleep likely triggers powerful psychological and physiological responses, such as increased emotional security and the release of oxytocin - the 'bonding hormone' associated with intimacy."

These effects help reduce stress and deepen connection, which makes pre-sleep cuddling a "meaningful ritual for emotional health," Troxel said.

While the study found that most couples sleep in the same position as their partner, 36.3% reported not touching or cuddling at night.

Those who did touch reported sleeping back to back (19.6%), having some contact, like touching an arm or leg (23.1%), spooning (13.3%), intertwining (4.2%) and sleeping face to face (3.5%).

Study co-author Josh R. Novak, PhD, associate professor at the Auburn University Department of Human Development and Family Science, confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital that the more physically close position couples are in, the more feelings of "relational safety" were present due to lower stress.

"Sleep is one of the most important ways we can manage our physical, relational and mental health," the researcher said. 

Novak added that non-sexual physical affection has generally been deemed "critical" for relationships, but there seems to be more "emotional and relational benefit" when there's full-body contact.

"My study suggests 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, as well as lower stress levels," he said.

The researchers did not study how much time was spent in a cuddling position, leaving Novak to be "skeptical" of whether it leads to sleep disturbances.

"What happens most often is that cuddling only happens for a bit until both partners fall asleep, but there could be a select few that cuddle throughout the whole night," he said. 

Novak encouraged couples to cuddle if stress levels are high, as it's a nonverbal way to feel "secure and safe."